31 historically significant individuals born on November 21. November 21 is the birth date of several notable individuals from philosophy, politics, art, and music. Among those born on this day are French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire (1694), Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte (1898), and Lebanese singer Fairuz (1935). This date also marks the birth of Guatemalan president Manuel Estrada Cabrera (1859) and Lebanese president Michel Suleiman (1948).
Total Born
31
Countries
27
Top Century
19th· 13
Top Field
actor
4 individuals
Headline Figures
autobiographer
Voltaire
1694 – 1778French writer, historian and philosopher (1694–1778)
architectural draftsperson
René Magritte
1898 – 1967Belgian surrealist painter famous for thought-provoking works like 'The Treachery of Images' and 'The Son of Man' that challenged perceptions of reality.
singer
Carly Rae Jepsen
1985 – PresentCanadian pop singer who achieved international fame with her 2011 hit single Call Me Maybe.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (12)
19th (13)
18th (5)
17th C.20th C.
20th Century
12Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Carly Rae Jepsen
singersinger-songwriter
Canadian pop singer who achieved international fame with her 2011 hit single Call Me Maybe.
Björk
actorcomposer
Icelandic avant-garde singer and experimental artist who gained international recognition for her innovative fusion of electronic music, pop, and traditional Icelandic elements. She has released ten solo studio albums and received numerous awards including the Polar Music Prize.
Fairuz
actorsinger
Legendary Lebanese singer known as the 'Jewel of Lebanon' whose career spanning over six decades made her an icon of Arabic music and culture.
Michel Suleiman
military officerpolitician
Former Lebanese Army Commander who served as the 12th President of Lebanon from 2008 to 2014.
Andrej Kabjakow
diplomateconomist
Belarusian economist who served as the 8th Prime Minister of Belarus from 2014 to 2018.
Alfonso Calderón
poetwriter
Chilean poet and writer (1930–2009)
Almaz Ayana
athletics competitorlong-distance runner
Ethiopian long-distance runner who won Olympic gold in the 10,000 meters at Rio 2016 and set a world record in the process.
Alkis Pierrakos
painter
Greek painter (1920-2017)
VA
Vladimir Anić
lexicographerlinguist
Croatian linguist and lexicographer (1930-2000)
Peter Bosz
association football coachassociation football player
Dutch football manager who has coached Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Lyon, known for his attacking philosophy.
Alexander Siddig
actordirector
Actor best known for playing Dr. Julian Bashir in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Prince Doran Martell in Game of Thrones.
TH
Torsten Haß
essayistliterary critic
German librarian and author who writes fiction and non-fiction works, contributing to contemporary German literature through novels and literary criticism.
19th Century
13Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
René Magritte
architectural draftspersoncollagist
Belgian surrealist painter famous for thought-provoking works like 'The Treachery of Images' and 'The Son of Man' that challenged perceptions of reality.
Manuel Estrada Cabrera
juristlawyer
Manuel Estrada Cabrera was a lawyer who ruled Guatemala as an authoritarian president for 22 years from 1898 to 1920.
Eric Louw
diplomatminister
South African politician (1890-1968)
Gyula Hevesi
chemisteconomist
Hungarian chemist, economist and politician (1890-1970)
Sigfrid Edström
athletics competitorbusinessperson
Swedish industrialist and International Olympic Committee official (1870–1964)
Ilarie Chendi
historianliterary critic
Romanian literary critic (1871–1913)
Gresley Lukin
businesspersonjournalist
Australian businessman (1840–1916)
Helgo Zettervall
architectpainter
Swedish architect (1831-1907)
Panayot Pipkov
actorcomposer
Bulgarian composer (1871–1942)
Elsa Garmann Andersen
architectphotographer
Norwegian architect and photographer (1891-1964)
JP
Jules-Édouard Prévost
journalistpolitician
Canadian politician (1871-1943)
SW
Sándor Wolf
collectornon-fiction writer
Austro-Hungarian collector (1871-1946)
AR
Anne Margaret Rowan
novelistwriter
Irish novelist, historian, and political activist
18th Century
5Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
István Hatvani
astronomerchemist
Hungarian mathematician (1718–1786)
Josiah Bartlett
judgelawyer
American physician and judge, signatory of the Declaration of Independence (1729–1795)
Felix Latasa Ortin
bibliographerCatholic priest
Writer
Edmund Lyons, 1st Baron Lyons
diplomatnaval officer
British Royal Navy admiral (1790-1858)
Gregorio Aráoz de Lamadrid
military personnelpolitician
Argentine military officer, governor (1795-1857)
17th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Voltaire
autobiographercorrespondent
French writer, historian and philosopher (1694–1778)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on November 21?
Voltaire, born in 1694, is considered one of the most notable people born on November 21. He was a French Enlightenment philosopher and writer known for his works on civil liberties, freedom of religion, and social reform.
What famous artist was born on November 21?
René Magritte, born on November 21, 1898, was a Belgian surrealist painter. He is known for his thought-provoking images and visual paradoxes with works like 'The Son of Man' and 'The Treachery of Images.'
Are there any famous musicians born on November 21?
Yes, Fairuz, a Lebanese singer often called the 'Jewel of Lebanon,' was born on November 21, 1935. She is one of the most admired singers in the Arab world, recognized for her distinctive voice and Arabic songs.