16 historically significant individuals born on September 2. September 2 is the birth date of several notable figures in politics, science, and entertainment. Wilhelm Ostwald, a German physical chemist born in 1853, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Daniel arap Moi, who became President of Kenya, was born in 1924. Andrej Babiš, a Czech businessman and politician, was born in 1954. This date also marks the birth of North Korean politician Pak Song-chol in 1913, and Soviet actor Yevgeny Leonov in 1926.
Total Born
16
Countries
13
Top Century
20th· 10
Top Field
politician
3 individuals
Headline Figures
scientist
Arthur Ashkin
1922 – 2020Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (2018)
scientist
Frederick Soddy
1877 – 1956Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1921)
minister
Daniel arap Moi
1924 – 2020Kenya's second President (1978-2002) who ruled for 24 years during the single-party era before being forced to accept multi-party elections.
Birth Distribution by Century
20th (10)
19th (4)
15th C.20th C.
20th Century
10Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Arthur Ashkin
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Physics (2018)
Daniel arap Moi
ministerpolitician
Kenya's second President (1978-2002) who ruled for 24 years during the single-party era before being forced to accept multi-party elections.
Keanu Reeves
film actorfilm director
Canadian actor known for his roles in "The Matrix" trilogy, "John Wick" franchise, and "Speed".
Salma Hayek
film actorfilm director
Mexican-American actress and producer who became the first Mexican woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Frida (2002).
Carlos Valderrama
association football coachassociation football player
Colombian midfielder known for his distinctive blonde afro and creative playmaking who captained the national team at three World Cups.
Andrej Babiš
businesspersoneconomist
Slovak-born Czech billionaire businessman who served as Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021, leading the populist ANO movement while facing fraud allegations.
Rafik Halliche
association football player
Centre-back defender who played for clubs including Fulham and Nacional, earning over 50 caps for Algeria between 2007-2017.
Yevgeny Leonov
actorcomedian
Soviet character actor beloved for his roles in comedies like 'Gentlemen of Fortune' and as the voice of Winnie-the-Pooh in Russian films. He was known for playing kind-hearted, everyman characters.
Pak Song-chol
politicianresistance fighter
North Korean independence fighter and politician who served as Premier from 1976 to 1977. He was a founding member of the Workers' Party and held various high-ranking positions.
Keir Starmer
barristerjurist
Former Director of Public Prosecutions and human rights barrister who became Leader of the Labour Party in 2020 and Prime Minister in 2024.
19th Century
4Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Frederick Soddy
scientist
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1921)
Wilhelm Ostwald
chemistEsperantist
Baltic German physical chemist who won the 1909 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on catalysis and chemical equilibria. He formulated Ostwald's dilution law and promoted the ionic theory of solutions.
Édouard Barbey
ministerpolitician
French politician (1831-1905)
Ernst von Liphart
art collectorart historian
Russian art historian of Baltic German origin (1847-1932)
18th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Goswin de Stassart
officialpoet
Belgian politician (1780–1854)
15th Century
1Figure
Lifespan
Notes
Origin
Albrecht von Eyb
juristpoet lawyer
German humanist
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the most famous person born on September 2?
Wilhelm Ostwald, the German chemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909, is likely the most internationally recognized person born on September 2, 1853. Daniel arap Moi, President of Kenya for 24 years, is also widely known for his political influence in Africa.
Are there any Nobel Prize winners born on September 2?
Wilhelm Ostwald, born on September 2, 1853, won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1909. He made significant contributions to physical chemistry, particularly in catalysis and chemical equilibria, and helped establish the scientific discipline of physical chemistry.
Which politicians were born on September 2?
Prominent politicians born on September 2 include Daniel arap Moi, who was Kenya's President from 1978 to 2002, and Pak Song-chol, a leading North Korean politician born in 1913. Andrej Babiš, born in 1954, was Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2017 to 2021.