Famous people and celebrities born in February 1903
Welcome to our dedicated page for celebrating the notable individuals born in February 1903! This month and year saw the birth of many influential figures who have made significant contributions to various fields, including entertainment, sports, politics, and more. Explore the biographies and achievements of these famous personalities and see how their talents have shaped the world. Join us in honoring the stars born in this memorable time.
- Feb. 3 Douglas Douglas-Hamilton
14th Duke of Hamilton, a prominent Scottish aristocrat, military officer, and politician who played significant roles in mid-20th century British society.
- Feb. 5 Joan Whitney Payson
Prominent American businesswoman and philanthropist, best known as the original owner of the New York Mets baseball team.
- Feb. 5 Ivan Galamian
Renowned violin pedagogue born in Tabriz, Persia, who trained many world-class violinists.
- Feb. 6 Claudio Arrau
Claudio Arrau was a renowned Chilean-American concert pianist widely considered one of the most significant classical musicians of the 20th century. His interpretations of Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert were particularly celebrated for their depth and intellectual rigor. Arrau's eight-decade career established him as a legendary figure in classical music performance.
- Feb. 8 Tunku Abdul Rahman
First Prime Minister of Malaysia who played a crucial role in the country's independence and nation-building process.
- Feb. 8 Greta Keller
Renowned Austrian-American singer and actress who was a prominent entertainer in the early to mid-20th century, known for her cabaret performances.
- Feb. 10 Matthias Sindelar
Legendary Austrian footballer known as the 'Mozart of Football', who was a key player in the Austrian national team during the 1930s and symbolically resisted Nazi influence through his playing style.
- Feb. 12 Chick Hafey
Chick Hafey was a prominent Major League Baseball player and manager who played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1920s and 1930s. He was an outstanding outfielder and a key member of the Cardinals' successful teams during that era.
- Feb. 12 Jorge Basadre
Jorge Basadre was a renowned Peruvian historian, intellectual, and professor who made significant contributions to understanding Peru's historical and cultural development. He is considered one of the most important Peruvian historians of the 20th century.
- Feb. 13 Georges Simenon
Georges Simenon was a prolific Belgian-French novelist who wrote over 400 novels, including 84 detective books and 100 psychological novels. He is best known for creating Inspector Maigret, a character featured in 75 detective novels that were translated into 57 languages and sold over 600 million copies worldwide.
- Feb. 16 Edgar Bergen
Pioneering American ventriloquist who revolutionized entertainment through radio and film, creating iconic characters like Charlie McCarthy and becoming one of the highest-paid performers of his era.
- Feb. 17 André Berthomieu
Prominent French film director who created over 60 films between 1926 and 1960, significantly contributing to French cinema during the early to mid-20th century. Known for works like 'Pas si bête' (1929), he was a prolific storyteller in the French film industry.
- Feb. 17 Sadegh Hedayat
Influential Iranian author and translator known for his significant contributions to modern Persian literature. His works often explored existential themes and social critiques of Iranian society.
- Feb. 18 Nikolai Podgorny
Prominent Soviet Ukrainian politician who served as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1965 to 1977, representing a key leadership role in the USSR during the Cold War era.
- Feb. 19 Louis Slobodkin
Louis Slobodkin was a renowned American illustrator and children's book author, celebrated for his distinctive artistic style and contributions to literature.
- Feb. 21 Anaïs Nin
Influential French-American diarist and writer who became a significant figure in feminist literature, known for her deeply personal and introspective journals documenting her complex emotional and artistic life.
- Feb. 21 Raymond Queneau
Prominent French novelist, poet, and screenwriter who significantly influenced French literature and was a key member of the experimental literary group Oulipo.
- Feb. 22 Frank P. Ramsey
Brilliant British polymath who made significant contributions to economics, mathematics, and philosophy before his early death at age 26.
- Feb. 22 Morley Callaghan
Canadian novelist and journalist known for his work with the Toronto Star and contributions to Canadian literature in the early 20th century.
- Feb. 22 Robert Weede
American opera singer active in the mid-20th century with notable performances.
- Feb. 24 Irène Némirovsky
Irène Némirovsky was a renowned Ukrainian-born French novelist who wrote the critically acclaimed novel 'Suite Française', a powerful narrative about life in France during World War II, published posthumously.
- Feb. 24 Franz Burda
Franz Burda was a prominent German publisher who founded Burda Publications, a significant media company that played an important role in German publishing and media landscape.
- Feb. 25 King Clancy
King Clancy was a legendary Canadian ice hockey player, referee, and coach who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and recognized as one of the top 100 NHL players of all time.
- Feb. 26 Giulio Natta
Giulio Natta was an Italian chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1963 with Karl Ziegler for groundbreaking work on polymers. He was a distinguished professor at the University of Pavia and Turin, and directed the Industrial Chemistry Research Center at the Polytechnic Institute of Milan.
- Feb. 26 Orde Wingate
Orde Wingate was a British major general who played a crucial role in World War II, organizing and leading special forces in Burma against Japanese troops. He was known for his innovative military tactics and strategic brilliance, significantly contributing to the Allied war effort.
- Feb. 27 Reginald Gardiner
British-American actor known for his comedic roles, notably in Charlie Chaplin's 'The Great Dictator'. He was a prominent character actor in Hollywood during the mid-20th century.
- Feb. 27 Joseph B. Soloveitchik
Prominent Orthodox Jewish rabbi, philosopher, and theologian who significantly influenced modern Jewish thought. He was a leading Talmudic scholar and intellectual leader of Modern Orthodox Judaism.
- Feb. 28 Vincente Minnelli
Renowned Hollywood film director famous for musicals like 'An American in Paris' and 'Gigi', who won an Academy Award and was a key figure in the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema.