Famous people born on April 11th
April 11 gathers an impressively varied group of thinkers, leaders, and artists, spanning centuries of public life and creative work. From architects of modern diplomacy and government to innovators in mathematics, music, and literature, the date reflects both institutional impact and imaginative range. The mix includes celebrated statesmen, influential journalists, and genre-defining performers.
Notable highlights
- Dean Acheson (1893) - As U.S. Secretary of State, he helped shape early Cold War strategy and the postwar alliance system centered on NATO.
- George Canning (1770) - A British prime minister remembered for advancing a foreign policy that supported independence movements in the Americas.
- Charles Evans Hughes (1862) - Served both as U.S. Secretary of State and Chief Justice, influencing constitutional law and American diplomacy.
- Andrew Wiles (1953) - Completed a proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, resolving a famous 17th-century problem after years of focused work.
- Thomas Harris (1940) - Built enduring psychological suspense through characters like Hannibal Lecter, redefining the modern thriller.
- Robert Fripp (1945) - Founder of King Crimson, known for adventurous guitar techniques and a restless approach to progressive rock.
- Joss Stone (1987) - Broke through early as a soul vocalist, praised for a classic timbre and powerful live performances.
- Vincent Gallo (1961) - A multi-hyphenate artist whose acting and directing often embrace stark, idiosyncratic storytelling.
- Leo Rosten (1908) - Popularized American-Yiddish humor in mainstream culture, notably through the character Hyman Kaplan.
- Ellen Goodman (1941) - A Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist whose reporting and commentary helped shape conversations on family, work, and public values.
On this day
- 1814 - Napoleon Bonaparte abdicates for the first time and is exiled to the island of Elba.
- 1945 - U.S. forces liberate the Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar, Germany.
- 1961 - Israel begins the trial of Adolf Eichmann in Jerusalem, a landmark case in the history of Holocaust justice.
- 1970 - Apollo 13 launches on its ill-fated mission, later becoming a defining story of crisis management in spaceflight.