Alan García
1949 – 2019Peruvian politician who served as President twice (1985-1990 and 2006-2011) and died by suicide in 2019 as police arrived to arrest him on corruption charges.
Famous Birthdays on May 23
6 notable people were born on May 23.
May 23 is the birth date of several notable figures from various disciplines and eras. Noteworthy individuals born on this day include Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707), who developed the modern system of biological classification, Nobel Prize-winning Swedish author Pär Lagerkvist (1891), and former Peruvian President Alan García (1949). This date also marks the birth of chess grandmaster Anatoly Karpov (1951) and Costa Rican footballer Hernán Medford (1968).
20th Century4 people
Anatoly Karpov
1951Russian chess grandmaster who served as World Chess Champion from 1975 to 1985 and is considered one of the greatest positional players in chess history.
Kevin Ullyett
1972Professional tennis player who won 34 ATP doubles titles and reached the doubles final at three Grand Slam tournaments during his career.
tennis playerZimbabwe
Hernán Medford
1968Striker who scored 18 goals in 89 appearances for Costa Rica and later managed the national team. He played professionally in Europe, including spells in Spain and Austria.
18th Century1 person
Carl Linnaeus
1707 – 1778Swedish botanist who created the modern system of biological taxonomy and binomial nomenclature still used today for classifying living organisms.
19th Century1 person
Pär Lagerkvist
1891 – 1974Swedish author who won the 1951 Nobel Prize in Literature, best known for his novel "Barabbas" about the thief released instead of Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on May 23?
Carl Linnaeus, born on May 23, 1707, is likely the most famous person born on this date. He created the modern system of biological classification that scientists still use today, fundamentally changing how the natural world is organized and understood.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on May 23?
Yes, Pär Lagerkvist, the Swedish author born on May 23, 1891, won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1951. He was recognized for his artistic vigor and independence of mind, exploring eternal questions through his poetry.
What famous chess player was born on May 23?
Anatoly Karpov, born on May 23, 1951, is a Russian chess grandmaster who was World Chess Champion from 1975 to 1985. He is one of the greatest chess players in history, with over 160 first-place finishes in international tournaments.