Famous Blind People

They say if you lose one sense, the other four becomes stronger. Quite true it is for the below mentioned list of famous blind people who achieved so much in their lifetime despite their physical shortcomings that can put any ‘normal’ or ‘physically perfect’ man/woman to shame. Blindness was just a small obstacle in the journey of greatness for these iconic figures. They did not let the visual impairment come in between their ambition and determination and with a strong grit and resolve, went ahead to conquer the world. Helen Keller, a political activist and author, became the first bind-deaf person to get a Bachelor’s degree of Arts. Composer, musician and producer Stevie Wonder became the ‘Wonder Boy’ of the music industry despite his visual impairment. Had it not been for Louis Braille, no blind person in the world would have ever enjoyed a story or been able to comprehend important paperwork. Inventor of Braille writing, which enables blind people to read through feeling a series of organized bumps representing letters, Louis Braille transformed the world for the visually challenged. And these are just a handful of the many more famous blind men/women who rose above their inadequacies. Check out section to know more about famous blind people who made it big in life.
Vote for Your Favourite Blind People

Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

 1 
Thom Yorke
(Singer, Musician, Songwriter)
Thom Yorke
27
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: October 7, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Wellingborough

English musician, Thom Yorke, is the main vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Radiohead. He is a multi-instrumentalist as well. Active in the music industry for over 35 years, he performs both as part of his band and as a solo artist. He is a human rights activist and also supports animal rights, environmental and anti-war causes.

 2 
Leonhard Euler
(Mathematician, Physicist)
Leonhard Euler
31
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: April 15, 1707
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Basel
Died: September 18, 1783

Leonhard Euler was a Swiss physicist, mathematician, logician, geographer, astronomer, and engineer. He is credited with making influential and important mathematical discoveries, such as graph theory and infinitesimal calculus. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most prolific mathematicians of all time, Leonhard Euler also made pioneering contributions to analytic number theory and topology.

 3 
Christine Ha
(First blind contestant of MasterChef and the winner of its third season in 2012)
Christine Ha
7
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 9, 1979
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Los Angeles County, California, United States
 4 
Louis Brandeis
(Former Lawyer & US Supreme Court Associate Justice)
Louis Brandeis
4
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: November 13, 1856
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Died: October 5, 1941
Recommended Lists:
 5 
Suzanne Lenglen
(French Tennis Player)
Suzanne Lenglen
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 24, 1899
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: July 4, 1938
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 6 
Joseph Plateau
(Belgian Physicist & Mathematician - One of the First People to Demonstrate the Illusion of a Moving Image)
Joseph Plateau
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: October 14, 1801
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Brussels
Died: September 15, 1883

Belgian physicist and mathematician Joseph Plateau was a pioneer of the modern animation and movie industry, as he invented the phenakistiscope, the world’s first device to create an illusion of motion through images. He also laid down the structure of soap films through Plateau's laws.

Recommended Lists:
 7 
Alberto Santos Dumont
(Brazilian aviator)
Alberto Santos Dumont
7
Birthdate: July 20, 1873
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santos Dumont
Died: July 23, 1932
Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos Dumont was born to an affluent coffee plantation owner and studied engineering in France. He was the man behind the first public flight in a winged aircraft in Europe. Later, the use of planes in warfare made him so depressed that he committed suicide.
 8 
Charles F. Kettering
(Inventor, Engineer & Businessman)
Charles F. Kettering
5
Birthdate: August 29, 1876
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Loudonville, Ohio
Died: November 25, 1958

Charles F. Kettering was an American engineer, inventor, and businessman. Kettering is credited with founding Delco Electronics Corporation. Holder of 186 patents, Kettering is also credited with the invention of Freon refrigerant for air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Over the course of his career, Charles F. Kettering won prestigious awards like the IEEE Edison Medal, Hoover Medal, and Franklin Medal. 

Recommended Lists:
 9 
Gerald McClellan
(American Former Professional Boxer & Two-Time Middleweight World Champion)
Gerald McClellan
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 23, 1967
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Freeport, Illinois, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 10 
Fanny Crosby
(Poet)
Fanny Crosby
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 24, 1820
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brewster, New York, United States
Died: February 12, 1915
Recommended Lists:
 11 
Sam Langford
(One of the Greatest Boxes of All Time)
Sam Langford
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 4, 1883
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Weymouth Falls, Canada
Died: January 12, 1956
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 12 
Mikhail Botvinnik
(Russian Chess Player Known for Contribution to the Design of the World Chess Championship System)
Mikhail Botvinnik
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 17, 1911
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Repino, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: May 5, 1995

Soviet chess player Mikhail Botvinnik was a three-time World Champion. At 14, he defeated the reigning world champion José Raúl Capablanca in an exhibition match. He was also a skilled computer engineer. He adopted a scientific approach to chess and penned several books on chess, too.

 13 
Blind Lemon Jefferson
(Blues & Gospel Singer-Songwriter)
Blind Lemon Jefferson
3
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: September 24, 1893
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Coutchman, Texas, United States
Died: December 19, 1929
 14 
Gordon Brown
(Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2010)
Gordon Brown
18
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 20, 1951
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Govan
Gordon Brown served as the British prime minister from 2007 to 2010. Blinded in on eye, he had previously been a lecturer and a journalist. He has been the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has held various Shadow Cabinet posts, and been the UN’s special envoy on global education. 
 15 
Ahmed Yassin
(Palestinian Politician and Imam Who Founded Hamas)
Ahmed Yassin
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 1, 1937
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Al-Jura, Mandatory Palestine
Died: March 22, 2004
Ahmed Yassin was a Palestinian politician who founded Hamas, a militant Islamist organization. He was also an imam and served as Hamas' spiritual leader after its founding in 1987. Ahmed Yassin was assassinated on 22 March 2004 by the Israel Defense Forces.
 16 
Surdas
(Former Indian Devotional Poet and Singer Known for His Works Written in Praise of Krishna, the Supreme Lord)
Surdas
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: 1478 AD
Birthplace: Faridabad, Haryana, India
Died: 1584 AD

Surdas was an Indian poet and singer best remembered for his devotion to Lord Krishna. He is credited with writing the popular book, Sur Sagar. He was blind by birth and was neglected by his family. Surdas was inspired by the teachings of Vallabha Acharya, who he met while going on a pilgrimage to Vrindavan.

 17 
Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom
(Princess)
Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom
5
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: November 3, 1777
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Buckingham House, London, England
Died: May 27, 1848
 18 
Joaquín Rodrigo
(Spanish Composer and a Virtuoso Pianist Best Known for Composition 'Concierto de Aranjuez')
Joaquín Rodrigo
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: November 22, 1901
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Sagunto, Spain
Died: July 6, 1999

Joaquín Rodrigo was a Spanish composer and a virtuoso pianist best known for composing the Concierto de Aranjuez. He lost his sight as a child and was encouraged by his parents to study music. He excelled in his musical education and began composing in braille as a young man. In 1983, he was awarded the Premio Nacional de Música. 

 19 
David Blunkett
(Former British Home Secretary)
David Blunkett
5
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 6, 1947
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sheffield, England
 20 
Laura Bridgman
(Educator)
Laura Bridgman
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 21, 1829
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Hanover, New Hampshire,United States
Died: May 24, 1889
 21 
Alfred Noyes
10
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 16, 1880
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Wolverhampton
Died: June 28, 1958
 22 
Lennie Tristano
(Jazz Pianist)
Lennie Tristano
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 19, 1919
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: November 18, 1978
 23 
Bilal Göregen
(YouTube Musician)
Bilal Göregen
0
Listed In: YouTubers
Birthdate: September 4, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dörtyol, Turkey
 24 
Ravindra Jain
(Musician, Composer)
Ravindra Jain
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: February 28, 1944
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Aligarh
Died: October 9, 2015
 25 
Andrea Cionna
(Italian Marathon runner)
Andrea Cionna
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 5, 1968
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Osimo, Italy
 26 
Benito Pérez Galdós
(Spanish Realist Novelist and a Leading Literary Figure in 19th-Century Spain)
Benito Pérez Galdós
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 10, 1843
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Municipality of Las Palmas, Spain
Died: January 4, 1920

One of the greatest Spanish novelists ever, Benito Pérez Galdós had initially aspired to become a lawyer but later switched to journalism. His novel The Fountain of Gold was the first in a series of 46 novels known as National Episodes. He also penned plays such as Realidad.

 27 
Thurlow Weed
(Politician)
Thurlow Weed
2
Birthdate: November 15, 1797
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Greene County, New York, United States
Died: November 22, 1882
 28 
Vasily II of Moscow
(Prince of Moscow)
Vasily II of Moscow
1
Birthdate: March 10, 1415
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Moscow, Grand Duchy of Moscow
Died: March 27, 1462
 29 
Timothy McIsaac
(Retired Canadian Paralympic Swimmer and Paralympic Gold Medalist)
Timothy McIsaac
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 10, 1959
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Canada
 30 
Antoine-Augustin Cournot
(Philosopher and Mathematician Known for His Contribution to the Development of Economics)
Antoine-Augustin Cournot
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 28, 1801
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Gray, France
Died: March 31, 1877

Regarded as the first economist who had applied math to solve economic problems, Antoine-Augustin Cournot had penned the iconic work Researches into the Mathematical Principles of the Theory of Wealth. He was also the first to chart a supply and demand curve on a graph and introduced Cournot competition.

 31 
Lev Pontryagin
(Mathematician)
Lev Pontryagin
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: September 3, 1908
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Died: May 3, 1988
 32 
Maria Theresia von Paradis
(Musician)
Maria Theresia von Paradis
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 15, 1759
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: February 1, 1824
 33 
Magnus IV of Norway
(King)
Magnus IV of Norway
1
Birthdate: 1115 AD
Birthplace: Norway
Died: November 12, 1139
 34 
Carleton Watkins
(Photographer)
Carleton Watkins
1
Listed In: Photographers
Birthdate: November 11, 1829
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Oneonta, New York, United States
Died: June 23, 1916
 35 
Gilbert of Sempringham
(Saint)
Gilbert of Sempringham
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1083 AD
Birthplace: Sempringham, England
Died: February 4, 1189
 36 
Christoph Graupner
(Harpsichordist)
Christoph Graupner
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 13, 1683
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kirchberg, Germany
Died: May 10, 1760
 37 
Mike May
(American Alpine Skier)
Mike May
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: 1953 AD
Birthplace: United Sates
 38 
Antonio de Cabezón
(Composer)
Antonio de Cabezón
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: March 30, 1510
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Castrillo Mota de Judíos, Spain
Died: March 26, 1566
 39 
John Fielding
(Magistrate)
John Fielding
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 16, 1721
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Abergavenny, Wales
Died: September 4, 1780

In spite of being blinded in an accident at age 19, John Fielding managed to become a magistrate. The half-brother of author Henry Fielding, he was nicknamed Blind Beak and was able to recognize criminals by their voices. He established the Bow Street Runners and revolutionized the juvenile justice system.

 40 
John Witherspoon
(Scottish-American Presbyterian Minister, Educator and a Founding Father of the United States)
John Witherspoon
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 5, 1723
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Gifford, Scotland
Died: November 15, 1794

John Witherspoon was a Scottish American slaveholder, Presbyterian minister, and Founding Father of the United States. A signatory to the Declaration of Independence, Witherspoon also signed the Articles of Confederation. He also played a crucial role in shaping public policy in the United States of America.

 41 
Justinus Kerner
(German Poet and Physician)
Justinus Kerner
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 18, 1786
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ludwigsburg, Germany
Died: February 21, 1862

Justinus Kerner was a German physician, medical writer, and poet. He is credited to have given the first detailed description of botulism. He studied medicine at the University of Tübingen. He wrote several medical books, including the first treatise on sebacic acid and botulism. As a poet, he is remembered for his sensitive, dreamlike, and melancholy poetry. 

 42 
Charles Joseph Kickham
(Revolutionary)
Charles Joseph Kickham
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 9, 1828
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mullinahone, Ireland
Died: August 22, 1882
 43 
Ed Walker
Ed Walker
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 23, 1932
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Forrest
 44 
Benny Waters
(Musician)
Benny Waters
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 23, 1902
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Brighton, Maryland, United States
Died: August 11, 1998
 45 
Jessica Gallagher
(Australian Paralympic Alpine Skier)
Jessica Gallagher
2
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: March 14, 1986
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Geelong, Australia

Jessica Gallagher is an Australian Paralympic alpine skier and track and field athlete. She became the first Australian woman to win a medal at the Winter Paralympics in 2010. She began to lose her sight as a teenager and was diagnosed with Best’s disease, a rare condition that causes blindness. As she is legally blind, she competes with a guide. 

 46 
Jack Clemo
(Poet)
Jack Clemo
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 11, 1916
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Saint Austell, England
Died: July 25, 1994
 47 
Darpan Inani
(Indian Chess Player and a Chartered Accountant)
Darpan Inani
5
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 14, 1994
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Vadodara, Gujarat, India

The most successful blind chess player of India, Darpan Inani is also a qualified chartered accountant. He is believed to have rejected an offer from IIM-Lucknow to join their MBA course, to pursue his chess career instead. He is also a talented musician and a yellow belt in karate.

 48 
Francesca Alexander
(Illustrator)
Francesca Alexander
3
Birthdate: February 27, 1837
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: January 21, 1917