16 historically significant individuals born on February 21. February 21 marks the birth date of several notable individuals, who have influenced areas such as politics, science, and literature. These include Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna, born in 1794, Danish biochemist and Nobel laureate Henrik Dam, born in 1895, diarist and novelist Anaïs Nin, born in 1903, Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, born in 1924, and Harald V, the current King of Norway, born in 1937.
Total Born
16
Countries
14
Top Century
20th· 8
Top Field
scientist
2 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Abhijit Banerjee
1961 – PresentNobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2019)
military officer
Antonio López de Santa Anna
1794 – 1876Mexican politician and military leader (1794-1876)
autobiographer
Anaïs Nin
1903 – 1977French-Cuban-American writer famous for her published diaries and pioneering exploration of female sexuality in literature.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (8)
18th (4)
16th C.20th C.
20th Century
8Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Abhijit Banerjee
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2019)
Anaïs Nin
autobiographerdancer
French-Cuban-American writer famous for her published diaries and pioneering exploration of female sexuality in literature.
Riyad Mahrez
association football player
Professional footballer and winger for Manchester City who was instrumental in Algeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
Elliot Page
film actor
Canadian actor known for roles in Juno, Inception, and The Umbrella Academy.
Sahle-Work Zewde
diplomatpolitician
Ethiopia's first female president, serving from 2018 to 2021, and former diplomat who worked extensively with the United Nations.
Harald V of Norway
aristocratmonarch
King of Norway since 1991, succeeding his father King Olav V to become the country's constitutional monarch.
Corbin Bleu
dancerfilm actor
American actor (born 1989)
Robert Mugabe
politician
Zimbabwe's second President who ruled for 30 years (1987-2017), transforming from liberation hero to authoritarian leader before being forced from power in a military coup.
19th Century
2Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Henrik Dam
biochemistchemist
Danish biochemist who shared the 1943 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering vitamin K and its role in blood coagulation. His research identified the essential vitamin's function in preventing hemorrhaging and led to important advances in treating bleeding disorders.
Franciszek Szymczyk
engineersport cyclist
Polish racing cyclist (1892-1976)
18th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Antonio López de Santa Anna
military officermilitary personnel
Mexican politician and military leader (1794-1876)
Achille Collas
engineerinventor
French inventor (1795–1859)
Carl Christian Traugott Friedemann Goebel
botanistchemist
Baltic German pharmacist, botanist, and explorer (1794-1851)
Alexis-Marie de Rochon
astronomerphysicist
French physicist (1741-1817)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Aegidius Strauch
mathematiciantheologian
German theologian (1632-1682)
16th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Cassiano dal Pozzo
classical scholarscientist
Italian scholar and art patron (1588-1657)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who are some people born on February 21?
Notable individuals born on February 21 include Robert Mugabe, the former president of Zimbabwe, and Harald V, the King of Norway. Also born on this date are Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna and writer Anaïs Nin.
Are there any world leaders born on February 21?
Yes, Harald V of Norway (born 1937), Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe (born 1924), and Mexican leader Antonio López de Santa Anna (born 1794) were born on February 21. These leaders have been influential in their countries' histories.
What Nobel Prize winner was born on February 21?
Henrik Dam, a Danish biochemist born on February 21, 1895, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1943 for discovering vitamin K. He shared this honor with Edward Adelbert Doisy for their work on vitamin K and blood coagulation.