Famous people born on May 22nd
May 22 stands out for a remarkably wide-ranging roster of talent and influence, spanning literature, music, politics, science, and the visual arts. The date connects Victorian-era imagination with modern public life, from groundbreaking performers to reform-minded leaders. With 29 notable birthdays, it is a snapshot of how creativity and civic impact often travel together across generations.
Notable highlights
- Arthur Conan Doyle (1859) - Created Sherlock Holmes, shaping modern detective fiction with logic-driven storytelling and enduring characters.
- Richard Wagner (1813) - Revolutionized opera through the concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk and epic music dramas like the Ring cycle.
- Harvey Milk (1930) - Became one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., turning local politics into a national civil-rights symbol.
- Mary Cassatt (1844) - An American in the heart of Impressionism, celebrated for intimate depictions of women and children and strong draftsmanship.
- Laurence Olivier (1907) - A defining Shakespearean actor whose stage and screen work set benchmarks for 20th-century performance.
- Naomi Campbell (1970) - A global fashion icon who helped redefine runway stardom and the international supermodel era.
- Bernie Taupin (1950) - Lyricist behind many Elton John classics, known for vivid narratives and memorable, singable imagery.
- George Andrew Olah (1927) - Nobel-winning chemist recognized for foundational work on carbocations and modern organic chemistry.
- Sun Ra (1914) - A visionary bandleader whose Afrofuturist philosophy and experimental jazz expanded the boundaries of the genre.
- T. Boone Pickens (1928) - Influential energy entrepreneur whose deals and activism left a lasting imprint on U.S. business and philanthropy.
On this day
- 1455 - The Battle of St Albans marks the opening clash of the Wars of the Roses in England.
- 1848 - Slavery is abolished in the French colonies during the French Second Republic.
- 1939 - Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel, formalizing their military alliance ahead of World War II.
- 1990 - North and South Yemen unify to form the Republic of Yemen.