James Madison
1751 – 1836President of the United States from 1809 to 1817 (1751–1836)
Famous Birthdays on March 16
11 notable people were born on March 16.
March 16 marks the birth date of several influential historical figures. Notably, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro was born in 1478, followed by James Madison, the fourth U.S. President, in 1751. In 1839, French poet and Nobel Prize winner Sully Prudhomme was born, while Latvian poet Aspazija and Peruvian poet César Vallejo came into the world in 1865 and 1892, respectively. These individuals were leaders, writers, and cultural figures who made lasting contributions to history and literature.
18th Century1 person
15th Century1 person
Francisco Pizarro
1478 – 1541Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Inca Empire in Peru, capturing Emperor Atahualpa in 1532.
20th Century6 people
Bernardo Bertolucci
1941 – 2018Italian director who created acclaimed films like The Last Emperor and Last Tango in Paris, winning nine Academy Awards throughout his career.
Mark Carney
1965Former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor who became Canada's 24th Prime Minister in 2025.
Jens Stoltenberg
1959Norwegian politician who served as Prime Minister of Norway twice and has been NATO Secretary-General since 2014.
Joel Embiid
1994Cameroonian-born NBA center who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers and is a multiple-time All-Star known for his dominant presence in the paint.
basketball playerCameroon
Édison Méndez
1979Versatile midfielder who earned over 100 caps for Ecuador and played for clubs including PSV Eindhoven and Irapuato before transitioning to coaching.
Andy Najar
1993Honduran midfielder who was born in the United States and played youth football for the U.S. before switching to represent Honduras internationally. He has played professionally in MLS and Belgium.
association football playerHonduras
19th Century3 people
César Vallejo
1892 – 1938Peruvian poet considered one of the greatest Latin American writers of the 20th century, known for collections like 'The Black Heralds' and 'Trilce'.
Aspazija
1865 – 1943Latvian poet, playwright, and feminist activist who was a leading figure in the Latvian national awakening movement.
Sully Prudhomme
1839 – 1907French poet who became the first recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1901 for his philosophical poetry combining scientific and metaphysical themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on March 16?
James Madison, born on March 16, 1751, was the 4th President of the United States and is known as the 'Father of the Constitution.' He played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
What historical figures were born on March 16?
Historical figures born on March 16 include Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro (1478), U.S. President James Madison (1751), and Peruvian poet César Vallejo (1892). French poet Sully Prudhomme, who was the first Nobel Prize winner in Literature, was born on this date in 1839.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on March 16?
Sully Prudhomme, born on March 16, 1839, was a French poet who became the first person to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1901. He was honored for his poetic compositions and his contribution to French literature.