19 historically significant individuals born on February 27. February 27 is the birth date of several influential figures in literature, politics, and entertainment. Individuals born on this day include Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck (1902), actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932), and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (1928). Philosopher Rudolf Steiner (1861) and Iceland's first president Sveinn Björnsson (1881) were also born on this date.
Total Born
19
Countries
16
Top Century
20th· 9
Top Field
scientist
3 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Robert H. Grubbs
1942 – 2021Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2005)
scientist
David H. Hubel
1926 – 2013Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1981)
architect
Rudolf Steiner
1861 – 1925Austrian philosopher who founded anthroposophy and established the Waldorf education system, blending spiritual science with practical applications in education, agriculture, and the arts.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (9)
19th (6)
16th C.21st C.
21st Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Helena Gualinga
environmentalisthuman rights defender
Indigenous rights and climate activist from the Kichwa nation who gained international recognition for her advocacy at COP26 and other global environmental forums.
20th Century
9Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Robert H. Grubbs
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2005)
David H. Hubel
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1981)
Ariel Sharon
army officerpolitician
Israeli general and Prime Minister (2001–2006) known for his military career and the controversial withdrawal of Israeli settlements from Gaza in 2005. His career ended when he fell into a coma in 2006.
Kakha Kaladze
association football playerathlete
Former AC Milan and Georgia defender who won the Champions League twice before becoming Mayor of Tbilisi in 2017.
John Steinbeck
novelistscientific collector
American writer (1902–1968)
Elizabeth Taylor
autobiographerfilm actor
British-American actress who won two Academy Awards and became one of Hollywood's highest-paid stars in the 1960s. She was known for her violet eyes, multiple marriages, and later advocacy for HIV/AIDS research.
Gidon Kremer
violinist
Latvian violinist who founded the Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra and is known for championing contemporary classical music.
Gabriel Zubeir Wako
Catholic bishopCatholic priest
Catholic cardinal who served as Archbishop of Khartoum from 1979 to 2016 and was elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2003.
Stephen Kiprotich
athletics competitorlong-distance runner
Marathon runner who won Olympic gold at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming Uganda's second Olympic gold medalist in history.
19th Century
6Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Rudolf Steiner
architectautobiographer
Austrian philosopher who founded anthroposophy and established the Waldorf education system, blending spiritual science with practical applications in education, agriculture, and the arts.
Kathleen Butler
engineerproject manager
Project manager for Sydney Harbour Bridge
Paul Bouts
Catholic priestscientist
Phrenologist, pedagogue, priest (1900–1999)
Enrique Gómez Carrillo
diplomatjournalist
Guatemalan literary critic, writer, journalist and diplomat (1873-1927)
Dimitrios Vikelas
businesspersonhistorian
Greek businessman and writer; president of the International Olympic Committee (1835-1908)
Sveinn Björnsson
lawyerpolitician
Icelandic lawyer and politician who became the country's first President when Iceland gained full independence in 1944, serving until his death in 1952. He previously served as Iceland's ambassador to Denmark.
18th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Louis-Jérôme Gohier
diplomatminister
French politician (1746-1830)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Abraham Ruchat
historianpastor
Swiss Protestant theologian and historian
16th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Johan Stiernhöök
juristlegal historian
Swedish lawyer (1596-1675)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on February 27?
Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood actress born on February 27, 1932, is widely regarded as the most famous person born on this date. She is known for her violet eyes and roles in films like 'Cleopatra' and 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?'
What Nobel Prize winner was born on February 27?
John Steinbeck, born on February 27, 1902, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962. He is best known for American novels such as 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'Of Mice and Men.'
Which political leaders were born on February 27?
Two notable political leaders born on February 27 are Sveinn Björnsson, Iceland's first president in 1944, and Ariel Sharon, the Israeli military leader and prime minister. Both had major roles in their nations' histories.