Arthur Rimbaud
1854 – 1891French symbolist poet who wrote influential works like "A Season in Hell" before abandoning poetry at age 20 to become a trader in Africa.
Famous Birthdays on October 20
13 notable people were born on October 20.
October 20 is the birth date of several notable political leaders and literary figures. French symbolist poet Arthur Rimbaud was born on this day in 1854. Sri Lankan independence leader Don Stephen Senanayake was born in 1884, and Kenyan anti-colonial activist and first President Jomo Kenyatta in 1893. Afghan poet and philosopher Inayatullah Khan arrived in 1888, and Sudanese political leader Ismail al-Azhari in 1901.
19th Century5 people
Jomo Kenyatta
1893 – 1978Kenyan independence leader who became the country's first Prime Minister (1963-1964) and first President (1964-1978) after leading the struggle against British colonial rule.
Don Stephen Senanayake
1884 – 1952Led Sri Lanka's independence movement and became the country's first Prime Minister (1947-1952), earning recognition as the "Father of the Nation."
Inayatullah Khan
1888 – 1946Afghan prince who ruled as King of Afghanistan for only three days in January 1929 before abdicating in favor of his brother.
monarchAfghanistan
20th Century8 people
Kamala Harris
1964Vice President of the United States from 2021 to 2025
Elfriede Jelinek
1946Austrian playwright and novelist who won the 2004 Nobel Prize in Literature for her radical feminist works that expose social hypocrisy and political oppression.
Dannii Minogue
1971Pop singer, television personality, and fashion designer who achieved success with hits like 'Love and Kisses' and as a judge on talent shows.
Ademola Lookman
1997Nigerian-English winger who switched from England to represent Nigeria in 2022. He scored a hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League final, leading Atalanta to victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
association football playerNigeria
Monica Ali
1967British novelist best known for her debut novel Brick Lane (2003), which was longlisted for the Booker Prize.
Hun Manet
1977Current Prime Minister of Cambodia since 2023, succeeding his father Hun Sen after serving as a general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
politicianCambodia
Mare Dibaba
1989Ethiopian marathon runner who won the 2015 Boston Marathon and claimed bronze at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow.
Samra Rahimli
1994Pop singer who represented Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2016 with "Miracle" and has released several successful albums in Azerbaijan.
singerAzerbaijan
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on October 20?
Arthur Rimbaud, the French poet born in 1854, is likely the most internationally recognized figure born on October 20. His work in symbolist poetry continues to influence literature worldwide.
What political leaders were born on October 20?
Several notable political leaders share this birth date, including Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president born in 1893, and Don Stephen Senanayake, Sri Lanka's first prime minister born in 1884. Ismail al-Azhari, Sudan's first prime minister, was born in 1901.
Are there any writers or poets born on October 20?
Yes, Arthur Rimbaud, a major French poet, was born on October 20, 1854. He became known for his innovative verse and prose poetry before he stopped writing at age 20.