18 historically significant individuals born on November 17. November 17 is the birth date of several notable figures in science, literature, film, and architecture. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Eugene Wigner was born in 1902, celebrated film director Martin Scorsese in 1942, and influential architect Rem Koolhaas in 1944. Mongolian poet Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj, born in 1906, and Kang Kek Iew, a former Khmer Rouge prison chief born in 1942, also share this date.
Total Born
18
Countries
14
Top Century
20th· 13
Top Field
politician
3 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Stanley Cohen
1922 – 2020Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1986)
mathematician
Eugene Wigner
1902 – 1995Hungarian-American theoretical physicist who won the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on atomic nuclei and elementary particles, particularly his discovery of fundamental symmetry principles.
actor
Rachel McAdams
1978 – PresentCanadian actress known for roles in "Mean Girls", "The Notebook", and "Spotlight".
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (13)
18th (3)
16th C.20th C.
20th Century
13Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Stanley Cohen
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1986)
Eugene Wigner
mathematiciannuclear physicist
Hungarian-American theoretical physicist who won the 1963 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on atomic nuclei and elementary particles, particularly his discovery of fundamental symmetry principles.
Rachel McAdams
actorenvironmentalist
Canadian actress known for roles in "Mean Girls", "The Notebook", and "Spotlight".
Abdelmadjid Tebboune
politician
Current President of Algeria since December 2019, elected following the resignation of Abdelaziz Bouteflika amid nationwide protests.
Kang Kek Iew
military personnelpolitician
Khmer Rouge commander who ran the notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh where over 14,000 people were tortured and killed. He was convicted of crimes against humanity in 2010.
Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj
poettranslator
Mongolian writer and poet who is considered the founder of modern Mongolian literature and wrote the national anthem of Mongolia.
Runa Laila
singer
Bangladeshi playback singer who gained fame across South Asia for her versatile voice in Bengali, Urdu, and Hindi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.
Cyril Ramaphosa
businesspersonentrepreneur
Current president of South Africa since 2018, previously known as a prominent trade union leader and businessman. He led the African National Congress's return to power with promises to fight corruption and revitalize the economy.
Rem Koolhaas
architectauthor
Dutch architect and urban theorist who founded OMA and designed iconic buildings including the Seattle Central Library and CCTV Headquarters in Beijing.
Martin Scorsese
film actorfilm editor
American filmmaker (born 1942)
Edivaldo Hermoza
association football player
Professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and has represented Bolivia's national team in international competitions.
Nguyễn Tấn Dũng
military personnelpolitician
Vietnamese politician who served as Prime Minister of Vietnam from 2006 to 2016, overseeing a period of significant economic growth and modernization.
Nani
association football player
Portuguese winger who played for Manchester United and the Portugal national team, known for his pace and crossing ability.
18th Century
3Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Giovanni Antonio Lecchi
engineermathematician
Italian mathematician and engineer (1702-1776)
Nicolas Appert
businesspersonconfectioner
French inventor of airtight food preservation (1749–1841)
Francis Home
chemistmilitary physician
Scottish physician (1719-1813)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Nicolas Lemery
chemistpharmacist
French chemist
16th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Bernardino Telesio
naturalistphilosopher
Italian philosopher
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on November 17?
Martin Scorsese, the filmmaker behind classics like Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, and The Departed, is perhaps the most famous person born on November 17, 1942. His career has earned him numerous Academy Awards and established him as a leading director in cinema.
What celebrities have November 17 birthdays?
Celebrities born on November 17 include director Martin Scorsese (1942) and Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas (1944). Nobel Prize-winning physicist Eugene Wigner (1902) and Mongolian poet Dashdorjiin Natsagdorj (1906) were also born on this date.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on November 17?
Yes, Eugene Wigner was born on November 17, 1902, and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1963 for contributions to the theory of atomic nuclei and elementary particles. He was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist with advances in quantum mechanics and nuclear physics.