18 historically significant individuals born on December 9. December 9 has been the birth date of several influential figures, including Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1742), who discovered oxygen independently of Joseph Priestley. Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke was born in 1929, and Indian political leader Sonia Gandhi in 1946. The date also marks the birth of Italian economist and former President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi in 1920, and Nicaraguan poet Gioconda Belli in 1948.
Total Born
18
Countries
13
Top Century
20th· 11
Top Field
scientist
4 individuals
Headline Figures
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (11)
19th (4)
17th C.20th C.
20th Century
11Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Henry W. Kendall
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1990)
William Lipscomb
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1976)
James Rainwater
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1975)
Bob Hawke
politiciantrade unionist
Labor Party Prime Minister from 1983-1991 who modernized Australia's economy through deregulation and maintained the country's longest period without recession.
Sonia Gandhi
politician
Italian-born Indian politician who served as President of the Indian National Congress party for nearly two decades. She is the widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Zurab Zhvania
biologistofficial
Georgian politician and biologist who served as Prime Minister of Georgia from 2004 until his death in 2005. He was a key figure in the Rose Revolution and died under controversial circumstances from apparent gas poisoning.
Kwadwo Asamoah
association football player
Versatile midfielder who played for Juventus and Inter Milan during his European career and earned over 70 caps for Ghana. He was known for his ability to play multiple positions across the midfield and defense.
Carlo Azeglio Ciampi
bankereconomist
President of Italy from 1999 to 2006
Imangali Tasmagambetov
politician
Kazakhstani politician who served as Prime Minister from 2002-2003 and later as Ambassador to Russia and China.
Gioconda Belli
activistessayist
Nicaraguan poet, novelist, and political activist known for her feminist literature and opposition to authoritarian regimes. She participated in the Sandinista revolution and later became a critic of the Ortega government.
Georges Mandjeck
association football player
Cameroonian defender who played for clubs in France, Germany, and Turkey, earning caps for both Cameroon and France national teams.
19th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Fritz Haber
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1918)
Norman Selfe
civil engineerengineer
Australian engineer and technical education advocate (1839-1911)
Mihail Manoilescu
diplomateconomist
Romanian politician and economist (1891–1950)
Jovan Grčić Milenko
physicianpoet
Serbian doctor and author (1846–1875)
18th Century
2Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Claude Louis Berthollet
chemistphysician
French chemist (1748-1822)
Carl Wilhelm Scheele
chemistpharmacist
Swedish German chemist who discovered oxygen
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Augustus Quirinus Rivinus
astronomerbotanist
German physician and botanist (1652-1723)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on December 9?
Bob Hawke, who served as Australia's Prime Minister from 1983 to 1991, is likely the most internationally recognized person born on December 9. Other notable figures include Sonia Gandhi, the influential Indian political leader, and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, former President of Italy.
What politicians were born on December 9?
Several prominent political leaders were born on December 9, including Bob Hawke (former Australian Prime Minister), Sonia Gandhi (Indian National Congress leader), and Carlo Azeglio Ciampi (former Italian President and central banker).
Are there any scientists born on December 9?
Yes, Carl Wilhelm Scheele, the Swedish chemist who discovered oxygen independently of Joseph Priestley, was born on December 9, 1742. He made significant contributions to chemistry in the 18th century and is considered one of the founders of modern chemistry.