Famous people and celebrities who died in 1940

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1940. 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.

• Jan. 27 Isaac Babel

  Isaac Babel was a Russian short story writer, journalist, playwright, and literary translator, known for his lyrical style and depictions of Jewish life in early 20th-century Russia.

• March 10 Mikhail Bulgakov

  Russian writer known for his novel 'The Master and Margarita'.

• March 16 Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf

  Nobel Prize laureate in appreciation of the lofty idealism, vivid imagination and spiritual perception that characterize her writings

• March 16 Selma Lagerlöf

  LIT - Swedish author and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1858)

• March 26 Spyridon Louis

  Greek marathon runner who won the first modern Olympic marathon in 1896.

• March 27 Madeleine Astor

  Madeleine Astor was an American socialite and the second wife of John Jacob Astor IV, who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912.

• April 26 Carl Bosch

  CHE - German chemist and engineer, nobel prize laureate (b. 1874)

• May 14 Emma Goldman

  Anarchist, feminist lecturer, and editor from lithuania. she was a strong advocate for personal and political freedoms, which she would have been bold to practice even in more liberal times. "mother earth," her new york magazine, promoted free love, patriotism, and birth control.

• May 14 Menno ter Braak

  Prominent Dutch modernist author and intellectual who was a significant literary critic and essayist in the interwar period.

• May 20 Carl Gustaf Verner von Heidenstam

  Nobel Prize laureate in recognition of his significance as the leading representative of a new era in our literature

• May 20 Verner von Heidenstam

  LIT - Swedish author and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1859)

• May 23 Paul Nizan

  French intellectual, journalist, and novelist known for his critical works and political engagement. Wrote notable works like 'Aden Arabia' and was associated with left-wing intellectual circles in pre-World War II France.

• May 28 Walter Connolly

  Actor (it happened one night, good earth), is killed at 53

• June 16 Willi Münzenberg

  German politician, a communist political activist. ma 1/4 nzenberg, the first leader of the young communist international (19 1919-20), established the famine relief and propaganda organization workers international relief (1921). he was a prominent propagandist for the communist party of germany (kpd), but he became disillusioned with communism after the great purge of 1930s. stalin sentenced ma 1/4 nzenberg to …

• June 17 Arthur Harden

  CHE - English biochemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1865)

• June 19 Maurice Jaubert

  Maurice Jaubert was a prominent French film composer of the 1930s, known for creating subtle and mood-enhancing soundtracks for notable directors like René Clair and Julien Duvivier. His musical works significantly contributed to the cinematic atmosphere of early French cinema.

• June 20 Jehan Alain

  French classical composer and organist known for his innovative musical works. He was tragically killed during World War II at the age of 29 while serving in the French military. His sister Marie-Claire Alain was also a renowned organist.

• July 15 Robert Wadlow

  Robert Wadlow was an extraordinary American who held the world record for tallest person in history, suffering from hyperplasia of the pituitary gland that caused unprecedented growth. He reached a height of 8 feet 11 inches and weighed 491 pounds, becoming a medical marvel and global sensation.

• July 31 Udham Singh

  Indian field hockey player who won gold medals in the 1952, 1956, and 1964 Olympic Games.

• Aug. 18 Walter Chrysler

  American industrialist who founded chrysler corporation. he also ran the company between 1925-1935. he started his career at buick in 1912. four years later, he became president. after that, he worked as vice-president at general motors. chrysler was a millionaire when he retired at the age of 45. he produced the first automobile bearing his name four years later.

• Aug. 21 Leon Trotsky

  Russian politician, leader of the bolshevik revolution. trotsky, who was still alive when lenin was alive was russia's most powerful man. he lost his leadership to joseph stalin. later, he was exiled to turkey and traveled to norway, norway, and finally to mexico. stalin sent secret police to assassinate his in mexico on august 20, 1940; he was wounded and …

• Aug. 30 Joseph John Thomson

  Nobel Prize laureate in recognition of the great merits of his theoretical and experimental investigations on the conduction of electricity by gases

• Aug. 30 J. J. Thomson

  PHY - English physicist and mathematician, nobel prize laureate (b. 1856)

• Sept. 1 Lillian Wald

  Lillian Wald was an American nurse and social reformer who founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and pioneered the concept of public health nursing.

• Sept. 27 Julius Wagner-Jauregg

  MED - Austrian physician and neuroscientist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1857)

• Oct. 12 Tom Mix

  American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (b. 1880)

• Nov. 9 Neville Chamberlain

  An english politician who was the prime minister of great britain between 1937-1940. he was a proponent of the appeasement policy.

• Nov. 27 Nicolae Iorga

  Nicolae Iorga was a Romanian historian, politician, and literary critic, who served as a member of the Romanian Senate and as the Prime Minister of Romania.

• Dec. 22 Nathanael West

  Influential American novelist known for his dark, satirical works that critiqued American society, particularly in Hollywood. His novels 'Miss Lonelyhearts' and 'The Day of the Locust' are considered significant contributions to 20th-century literature.

• Dec. 25 Agnes Ayres

  Actress johnny belinda sheik, dies at 42

What happened in 1940?

Discover what the world looked like in 1940: