Famous people born on January 27th
January 27 is a notably wide-ranging birthday on the calendar, linking towering figures in music, literature, politics, labor history, and modern screen performance. The date spans centuries of achievement, from early scientific pioneers to contemporary entertainers and athletes. Together, these lives sketch a portrait of creativity, influence, and public impact across many fields.
Notable highlights
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756) - A child prodigy whose prolific output reshaped classical music, with operas and symphonies that remain central to the repertoire.
- Lewis Carroll (1832) - The mathematician-author behind "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," whose wordplay and logic puzzles still inspire writers and scholars.
- Samuel Gompers (1850) - A founding leader of the American Federation of Labor who helped define practical unionism and collective bargaining in the U.S.
- Wilhelm II (1859) - The last German Emperor, whose reign and diplomacy became intertwined with the tensions that culminated in World War I.
- Learned Hand (1872) - One of America's most cited jurists, known for influential opinions on free speech, regulation, and judicial restraint.
- Hyman Rickover (1900) - The "father of the nuclear navy," whose relentless standards helped drive the U.S. Navy's nuclear propulsion program.
- Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948) - A virtuoso dancer celebrated for transcendent technique and an expansive career bridging ballet, modern dance, and film.
- Patton Oswalt (1969) - A sharp observational comedian and actor recognized for both stand-up craft and character-driven performances.
- Rosamund Pike (1979) - An actress noted for precise, controlled intensity on screen, highlighted by psychologically complex leading roles.
- Marat Safin (1980) - A powerful, mercurial tennis champion whose peak years combined explosive shot-making with big-match resilience.
On this day
- 1756 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is born in Salzburg, later becoming one of the defining composers of Western classical music.
- 1880 - Thomas Edison receives a patent for the incandescent electric lamp, advancing practical electric lighting for homes and cities.
- 1945 - Soviet forces liberate Auschwitz, exposing the масшab of Nazi atrocities and marking a pivotal moment in the Holocaust's documentation.
- 1967 - The Apollo 1 crew dies in a cabin fire during a prelaunch test, leading to major spacecraft safety redesigns for NASA.