23 historically significant individuals born on November 12. November 12 marks the birth date of 13 notable individuals throughout history in various fields such as arts, literature, politics, and music. Born on this day, French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840) is known for works like "The Thinker," while Canadian-American musician Neil Young (1945) has shaped rock and folk music for decades. Other personalities born on this date include Nepali poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota (1909), Iraqi Kurdish politician Jalal Talabani (1933), and Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa (1938).
Total Born
23
Countries
17
Top Century
20th· 13
Top Field
association football player
3 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Lord Rayleigh
1842 – 1919Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1904)
scientist
Michael Kremer
1964 – PresentNobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2019)
draftsperson
Auguste Rodin
1840 – 1917French sculptor who revolutionized modern sculpture with expressive works like The Thinker and The Kiss, breaking from academic traditions.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (13)
19th (4)
18th (4)
10th C.20th C.
20th Century
13Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Michael Kremer
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2019)
Hassan Rouhani
clericdiplomat
Iranian cleric and moderate politician who served as President from 2013 to 2021, negotiating the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) with world powers in 2015.
Neil Young
autobiographerdirector
Canadian singer-songwriter and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee known for songs like "Heart of Gold" and his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Ryan Gosling
film actorfilm director
Canadian actor known for his roles in "La La Land", "Drive", "The Notebook", and "Blade Runner 2049".
Jalal Talabani
juristlawyer
Kurdish politician who served as the 6th President of Iraq from 2005 to 2014 and was a founding member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. He played a key role in Iraqi politics following the 2003 US invasion.
Benjamin Mkapa
diplomatlawyer
Third President of Tanzania (1995-2005) who implemented major economic liberalization policies and helped establish the East African Community.
Laxmi Prasad Devkota
essayistlyricist
Nepal's most celebrated poet, often called the 'Mahakavi' (Great Poet) for his epic poem 'Muna Madan'. His works helped establish modern Nepali literature and he is considered the Shakespeare of Nepali literature.
Luguelín Santos
athletics competitorsprinter
Olympic silver medalist in the 400 meters at the 2012 London Olympics and world championship medalist.
Benjamin Moukandjo
association football player
Cameroonian striker who played for Lorient and represented Cameroon at the 2014 World Cup.
Hiroshi Kiyotake
association football player
Japanese attacking midfielder who represented Japan at the 2014 World Cup and played in Germany's Bundesliga for Hannover 96 and FC Nürnberg.
Nadia Comăneci
artistic gymnast
Romanian gymnast who became the first person to score a perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics competition, winning five Olympic gold medals.
Enzo Francescoli
association football playerbusinessperson
Uruguayan attacking midfielder considered one of South America's greatest players, who spent most of his career at River Plate and inspired Zinedine Zidane's career choice.
Muhammad ibn Sulayem
entrepreneurrally driver
Former rally driver who became President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 2021, the first non-European to hold the position.
19th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Lord Rayleigh
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (1904)
Auguste Rodin
draftspersonpainter
French sculptor who revolutionized modern sculpture with expressive works like The Thinker and The Kiss, breaking from academic traditions.
Victor Hugo de Azevedo Coutinho
military personnelminister
Portuguese politician (1871-1955)
Sophus Henrichsen
Oberlehrerphysicist
Norwegian physicist (1845-1928)
18th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Letitia Christian Tyler
politicianpresident
First Lady of the United States (1790-1842)
Jacques Charles
balloonistinventor
French inventor, scientist, mathematician, and balloonist
Louis-Étienne de Thouvenin
inventormilitary personnel
French general (1791-1882)
Antoine Payen
naturalistpainter
Belgian painter (1792-1853)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Georg Wolfgang Wedel
botanistchemist
German professor of surgery, botany, theoretical and practical medicine, and chemistry (1645-1721)
10th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Ibn Hazm
geographerIslamic jurist
Andalusian Muslim polymath, historian, jurist, philosopher and theologian (994–1064)
Explore More for November 12
Discover historical events and other data for this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on November 12?
Auguste Rodin, the French sculptor known for works like 'The Thinker' and 'The Kiss,' was born on November 12, 1840. Neil Young, the Canadian-American musician, was also born on this date in 1945.
What musicians were born on November 12?
Neil Young, the rock musician behind hits like 'Heart of Gold' and a member of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, was born on November 12, 1945.
Are there any political leaders born on November 12?
Jalal Talabani, President of Iraq from 2005 to 2014, was born on November 12, 1933. Benjamin Mkapa, Tanzania's third President, serving from 1995 to 2005, was born on this date in 1938.