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Famous people born on September 13th

September 13 brings together an unusually wide-ranging set of birthdays, spanning literature, music, film, design, and public life. The date links modernist innovators with pop-culture icons, and pairs celebrated storytellers with creators who shaped what we see, hear, and build. From enduring children’s classics to landmark architecture and legendary performances, this roster shows how influence can travel across centuries and mediums.

Notable highlights

  • Roald Dahl (1916) - The author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "Matilda" helped redefine modern children’s literature with dark wit and moral snap.
  • Amy Winehouse (1984) - Her album "Back to Black" fused vintage soul with raw confession, becoming one of the defining records of the 2000s.
  • Arnold Schoenberg (1874) - A pivotal modernist who pushed harmony forward and became closely associated with the development of twelve-tone technique.
  • Clara Schumann (1819) - A formidable concert pianist and composer who shaped 19th-century performance culture while championing Robert Schumann and Brahms.
  • Tadao Ando (1941) - The self-taught architect is renowned for serene, concrete-and-light spaces that use minimalism to heighten emotion and movement.
  • Robert Indiana (1928) - A key figure in American pop art, best known for the bold, graphic "LOVE" motif that became an enduring visual symbol.
  • Dave Mustaine (1961) - As the driving force behind Megadeth, he helped define thrash metal with technical guitar work and politically charged lyrics.
  • Claudette Colbert (1903) - An Oscar-winning star of Hollywood’s golden age whose comic timing and poise helped shape the screwball era.
  • Stella McCartney (1971) - A major fashion voice who has made sustainability and cruelty-free approaches central to a global luxury brand.
  • Goran Ivanisevic (1971) - Remembered for a storied serve and a historic 2001 Wimbledon triumph as a wildcard entry.

On this day

  • 1759 - The Battle of the Plains of Abraham is fought at Quebec, a pivotal moment in the Seven Years’ War in North America.
  • 1814 - The Battle of Baltimore begins in the War of 1812, a campaign later associated with the writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner".
  • 1993 - The Oslo I Accord is signed in Washington, D.C., marking a major milestone in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Author Nationality Profession Quotes Year
Ahmet Necdet Sezner Turkey President 5 1941
Amy Winehouse United Kingdom Musician 13 1984 - 2011
Arnold Schoenberg Austria Composer 2 1874 - 1951
Arthur Henderson United Kingdom Politician 32 1863 - 1935
Ben Savage USA Actor 3 1980
Bill Janklow USA Politician 15 1939 - 2012
Bill Monroe USA Musician 6 1911 - 1996
Clara Schumann Germany Musician 13 1819 - 1896
Claudette Colbert France Actress 9 1903 - 1996
Dave Mustaine USA Musician 6 1961
Don Bluth USA Artist 32 1937
Don Was USA Musician 1 1952
Elmer G. Letterman USA General 3 1843 - 1914
Fiona Apple USA Musician 38 1977
Goran Ivanisevic Croatia Athlete 6 1971
Henry F. Ashurst USA Politician 2 1874 - 1962
J.B. Priestley United Kingdom Writer 39 1894 - 1984
Jacqueline Bisset England Actress 39 1944
Judith Martin USA Author 16 1938
Larry Speakes USA Public Servant 4 1939 - 2014
Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach Austria Novelist 22 1830 - 1916
Maurice Jarre France Composer 12 1924 - 2009
Oliver Evans USA Inventor 2 1755 - 1819
Richard Kiel USA Actor 5 1939
Roald Dahl United Kingdom Novelist 27 1916 - 1990
Robert Indiana USA Artist 7 1928 - 2018
Samuel Wilson USA Public Servant 19 1766 - 1854
Shane Warne Australia Athlete 16 1969 - 2022
Sherwood Anderson USA Writer 4 1876 - 1941
Stella McCartney United Kingdom Designer 4 1971
Tadao Ando Japan Architect 24 1941
Tavis Smiley USA Author 21 1964
Tom Holt United Kingdom Novelist 10 1961