Famous people born on November 13th
November 13 is a remarkably wide-ranging birthday on the calendar, bringing together foundational religious thinkers, influential writers, and modern-day entertainers. The date spans voices that shaped theology and philosophy, as well as figures who helped define film, television, and public life. From late antiquity to the present, November 13 reflects an unusual blend of intellectual depth and popular culture reach.
Notable highlights
- Saint Augustine (354) - A cornerstone of Western Christianity whose writings like Confessions and The City of God still frame debates on faith, memory, and politics.
- Robert Louis Stevenson (1850) - The author of Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, celebrated for adventure storytelling with psychological bite.
- Louis D. Brandeis (1856) - A pioneering U.S. Supreme Court Justice who championed privacy rights and the use of social-science evidence in law (the "Brandeis Brief").
- Saul Kripke (1940) - A transformative philosopher and logician whose work on naming, necessity, and modal logic reshaped analytic philosophy.
- Whoopi Goldberg (1949) - An EGOT-winning performer known for roles in Ghost and Sister Act, as well as a long-running presence in television commentary.
- Frances Conroy (1953) - An acclaimed actor recognized for nuanced, character-driven work across stage, film, and prestige television.
- Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (1953) - Mexico's president (2018-2024), a major figure in contemporary Latin American politics and reform debates.
- Gerard Butler (1969) - A leading man associated with high-intensity action and drama, including his breakout as King Leonidas in 300.
- Jimmy Kimmel (1967) - A late-night host who helped define modern U.S. talk-show comedy through topical monologues and large-scale live stunts.
On this day
- 1851 - The Denny Party lands at Alki Point, an event associated with the founding and early settlement of what became Seattle.
- 1937 - The "Bloody Sunday" crackdown on peaceful marchers in London becomes a key flashpoint in British anti-fascist history.
- 1942 - The Battle of Guadalcanal enters its decisive naval phase as major engagements in the Solomon Islands shift momentum in the Pacific War.
- 1982 - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated in Washington, D.C., becoming one of the most visited and influential modern memorial designs in the U.S.