15 historically significant individuals born on May 19. May 19 is the birth date of various figures from different fields and times. Notable individuals born on this day include German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte in 1762, Cambodian leader Pol Pot in 1925, and Jamaican-born singer and actress Grace Jones in 1948. The date also marks the births of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda in 1964 and Uruguayan actress Natalia Oreiro in 1977.
Total Born
15
Countries
11
Top Century
20th· 7
Top Field
politician
4 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Sir Cyril Hinshelwood
1897 – 1967Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1956)
scientist
Max F. Perutz
1914 – 2002Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1962)
philosopher
Johann Gottlieb Fichte
1762 – 1814German idealist philosopher who developed a system of transcendental idealism and significantly influenced German philosophy in the early 19th century.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (7)
19th (3)
18th (4)
11th C.20th C.
20th Century
7Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Max F. Perutz
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1962)
Pol Pot
military officerpolitician
Cambodian communist leader who ruled as Prime Minister from 1976-1979 and orchestrated the Cambodian genocide that killed approximately 1.5-2 million people.
Grace Jones
actorcomposer
Jamaican-born artist who became an international icon as a model, singer, and actress in the 1970s and 80s. She is known for her androgynous appearance and hits like "Pull Up to the Bumper."
Andrea Pirlo
association football coachassociation football player
Italian midfielder considered one of the greatest deep-lying playmakers in football history, who won the 2006 World Cup and multiple Champions League titles.
Gitanas Nausėda
economistpolitician
President of Lithuania since 2019, former chief economist and advisor at SEB bank who transitioned from banking to politics.
Natalia Oreiro
actorbusinessperson
Uruguayan actress and singer who gained international fame through telenovelas like 'Muñeca Brava' and became a cultural ambassador between Latin America and Russia.
Diego Forlán
association football coachassociation football player
Uruguayan striker who won the Golden Ball at the 2010 World Cup and scored 36 goals in 112 international appearances before transitioning to tennis professionally.
19th Century
3Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Sir Cyril Hinshelwood
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1956)
Dimitrie C. Sturdza-Scheianu
historianpolitician
(1839-1920)
Steingrímur Thorsteinsson
poetwriter
Poet and writer (1831-1913)
18th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Johann Gottlieb Fichte
philosopheruniversity teacher
German idealist philosopher who developed a system of transcendental idealism and significantly influenced German philosophy in the early 19th century.
George Barney
civil engineerengineer
British colonial governor (1792-1862)
Élie Salomon François Reverdil
Hofmeistermathematician
Swiss politician (1732-1808)
Federico Sanvitale
Catholic priestmathematician
Italian Jesuit and mathematician (1704-1761)
11th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Hugh of Cluny
politicianwriter
Abbot of Cluny (1024-1109)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on May 19?
Grace Jones, the Jamaican singer, model, and actress born in 1948, is a notable celebrity born on May 19. Her unique style and music career made her a pop culture icon.
Are there any world leaders born on May 19?
Yes, Gitanas Nausėda, President of Lithuania, was born on May 19, 1964. Pol Pot, the Cambodian leader, was also born on this date in 1925.
What philosophers were born on May 19?
Johann Gottlieb Fichte, the German philosopher, was born on May 19, 1762. He was a key figure in German idealism and contributed to philosophical thought in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.