18 historically significant individuals born on May 9. May 9 is the birth date of several notable figures from various fields and centuries. On this day, Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset was born in 1883, followed by Mexican actor Pedro Armendáriz in 1912 and Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar in 1968. This date is also the birthday of Bangladeshi cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim in 1987, and the late Marwan al-Shehhi in 1978.
Total Born
18
Countries
15
Top Century
20th· 7
Top Field
scientist
2 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Michael Levitt
1947 – PresentNobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2013)
scientist
Manfred Eigen
1927 – 2019Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1967)
cricketer
Mushfiqur Rahim
1987 – PresentBangladeshi wicket-keeper batsman who captained the national cricket team and became the first Bangladeshi to score a double century in Test cricket.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (7)
19th (6)
18th (4)
17th C.20th C.
20th Century
7Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Michael Levitt
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2013)
Manfred Eigen
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1967)
Mushfiqur Rahim
cricketer
Bangladeshi wicket-keeper batsman who captained the national cricket team and became the first Bangladeshi to score a double century in Test cricket.
Pedro Armendáriz
actorfilm actor
Mexican actor who starred in Hollywood films including The Treasure of the Sierra Madre and From Russia with Love before his death in 1963.
Kalifa Tillisi
diplomathistorian
Libyan historian (1930–2010)
Nataša Pirc Musar
journalistjurist
Slovenian lawyer and former television presenter who became President of Slovenia in 2022, making her the country's first female head of state. She previously worked as a privacy and media law expert and hosted popular TV shows.
Marwan al-Shehhi
terrorist
One of the 19 hijackers in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, who piloted United Airlines Flight 175 into the World Trade Center's South Tower.
19th Century
6Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Gustaf de Laval
businesspersoninventor
Swedish engineer (1845-1913)
Ben Hall
bushrangerbutcher
Australian bushranger
Aarno Maliniemi
church historianhistorian
Finnish historian
William Fowler
hymnwriterknife maker
Australian hymnwriter (1830-1865)
José Ortega y Gasset
essayistliterary critic
Spanish philosopher and essayist best known for his influential work "The Revolt of the Masses" and his analysis of modern society and culture.
Gustave Fraipont
children's writerillustrator
Illustrator, painter, poster designer, sculptor (1849-1923)
18th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Christoph Wilhelm von Koch
diplomatlaw librarian
French politician and diplomat (1737-1813)
Friedrich Strack
classical philologistnaturalist
German theologist, naturalist and writer (1784 - 1852)
Gaspard Monge
chemistengineer
French mathematician, inventor of descriptive geometry and father of differential geometry (1746-1818)
John Wolcot
physicianpoet
British satirist and physician; his pseudonym was Peter Pindar
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Johann Martin Veith
draftspersonillustrator
Swiss draughtsperson (1650-1717)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on May 9?
José Ortega y Gasset, a Spanish philosopher born in 1883, is likely the most well-known figure born on May 9. His philosophical works have influenced modern thought across various disciplines.
Are there any celebrities born on May 9?
Yes, Pedro Armendáriz, a Mexican actor born in 1912, was a major film star who appeared in Hollywood westerns and worked with directors like John Ford. Nataša Pirc Musar, born in 1968, is a Slovenian lawyer who is currently the President of Slovenia.
What sports figures were born on May 9?
Mushfiqur Rahim, born in 1987, is a Bangladeshi cricketer who has been captain of the national team. He is one of Bangladesh's finest wicket-keeper batsmen in international cricket.