Famous people and celebrities who died in 1917

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1917. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

• Feb. 11 Oswaldo Cruz

  The oswaldo cruz foundation was founded by a brazilian doctor bacteriologist, and epidemiologist (d. 1917).

• March 8 Ferdinand von Zeppelin

  Zeppelin airship company was founded by a german businessman and general.

• April 1 Scott Joplin

  Influential African-American composer and pianist known as the 'King of Ragtime.'

• April 7 Spyridon Samaras

  Greek composer known for his operas and choral works.

• May 29 Kate Harrington

  American poet and educator (b. 1831)

• June 15 Kristian Birkeland

  Known for his research in the field of space physics and the aurora borealis.

• June 25 Géza Gyóni

  Hungarian poet and soldier (d. 1917).

• July 8 Tom Thomson

  Canadian painter (born in 1877).

• July 14 Octave Lapize

  French road cycling racer, known as "le frisa(c)," or "tatave", won the "tour de france", 1910.

• July 27 Emil Theodor Kocher

  MED - Swiss physician and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1841)

• July 31 Hedd Wyn

  Welsh language poet (b. 1887)

• Aug. 13 Eduard Buchner

  CHE - German chemist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1860)

• Aug. 20 Adolf von Baeyer

  CHE - German chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1835)

• Aug. 20 Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Adolf von Baeyer

  Nobel Prize laureate in recognition of his services in the advancement of organic chemistry and the chemical industry, through his work on organic dyes and hydroaromatic compounds

• Sept. 5 Marian Smoluchowski

  Austrian-polish physicist and mountaineer (b. 1872)

• Sept. 27 Edgar Degas

  French painter, pastelist, sculptor, and photographer. he was regarded as one of the greatest male french draftsmen of the 19th century.

• Oct. 15 Mata Hari

  Prostitute from holland and exotic dancer, who also served as a spy. margaretha, the daughter of a merchant was expelled from convent schools for her sex with a priest in her youth. she then moved to java at age 18 with macleod her husband of 40 years. they were married on 11th july 1895. they had a violent marriage, and …

• Oct. 22 Bob Fitzsimmons

  Boxer from england and new zealand (d. 1917).

• Oct. 27 Arthur Rhys-Davids

  English pilot and lieutenant (d. 1917).

• Nov. 8 Colin Blythe

  English soldier and cricketer (d. 1917).

• Nov. 15 Oswald Chambers

  Scottish author and teacher best known for his devotional book 'My Utmost for His Highest'.

• Nov. 15 Emile Durkheim

  Pioneering French sociologist who is considered one of the founding figures of sociology.

• Nov. 17 Auguste Rodin

  French master sculptor, francoise. his work was a major influence on many other artists of the late nineteenth and early 20th century. he created some of the most beautiful pieces, including "the kiss", 1886, "the thinker", 1888 and "the burghers of calais" (1895). rodin was initially trained at the petite ecole. this school trains artisans. rodin was denied admission to …

• Nov. 22 Teoberto Maler

  Italian-german archaeologist and explorer (b. 1842)

• Dec. 7 Ludwig Minkus

  Austrian composer and violinist (d. 1917).

• Dec. 17 Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

  First woman to qualify as a physician and surgeon in Britain, and a pioneer in the medical education of women.

• Dec. 20 Lucien Petit-Breton

  French road cycling racer, who won both the tour de france 1907 and 1908, becoming first to win it twice.

What happened in 1917?

Discover what the world looked like in 1917: