Famous People Who Died In 1920

Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1920. This list includes people like Srinivasa Ramanujan, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Amedeo Modigliani, Wilhelm Wundt, Edmund Barton and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include artists, political leaders, sculptors and explorers who died in 1920. This list includes people from United States, Germany and many more countries.
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 1 
Srinivasa Ramanujan
(Mathematician)
Srinivasa Ramanujan
102
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 22, 1887
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Erode
Died: April 26

A self-taught genius Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan is known for his contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory and continued fractions. Born into a humble family, the celebrated mathematician struggled with poverty but still managed to publish first of his papers in the Journal of the Indian Mathematical Society. Later, his collaboration with English mathematician G. H. Hardy proved very productive.

 2 
Max Weber
(Sociologist)
Max Weber
13
Birthdate: April 21, 1864
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Erfurt, Germany
Died: June 14

Max Weber was a German historian, political economist, jurist, and sociologist. Widely regarded as one of the most influential and important theorists, Weber's ideas had a profound influence on social research and social theory. Although he did not see himself as a sociologist, Weber is often counted among the fathers of sociology alongside Émile Durkheim, Auguste Comte, and Karl Marx.

 3 
Amedeo Modigliani
(Italian Painter and Sculptor Known for His Works: ‘Redheaded Girl in Evening Dress’ and ‘Madame Pompadour’)
Amedeo Modigliani
11
Birthdate: July 12, 1884
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Livorno, Italy
Died: January 24

Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian Jewish painter and sculptor. He is remembered for his surrealist and modern-style depiction of nudes in his portraits. Even though he spent his youth in Italy, he worked mainly in France. He enjoyed little success while he was alive. He died young at the age of 35 and received massive posthumous appreciation for his works.

 4 
Wilhelm Wundt
(Philosopher)
Wilhelm Wundt
4
Birthdate: August 16, 1832
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mannheim, Germany
Died: August 31

Wilhelm Wundt was a German physiologist, professor, and philosopher. He is often counted among the founders of modern psychology and is widely considered the father of experimental psychology. He is also credited with founding the first laboratory for psychological research, which he founded at the University of Leipzig in 1879.

 5 
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(Indian Independence Activist and One Third of the 'Lal Bal Pal' Triumvirate)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
10
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 23, 1856
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Maharashtra, India
Died: September 1
Indian nationalist and freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, also known as Lokmanya Tilak, promoted the concept of Swaraj, or self-rule. He was part of the freedom-fighter trio know as Lal Bal Pal, along with fellow Indian National Congress members Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal.
 6 
Edmund Barton
(1st Prime Minister of Australia)
Edmund Barton
21
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 18, 1849
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Glebe, Australia
Died: January 7

The first prime minister of Australia, Edmund Barton had also been a senior judge at the High Court of Australia. The federation movement leader was also a major force behind the drafting of the constitution of his country. After rejecting the knighthood thrice, he finally accepted the honor in 1902.

 7 
Robert Peary
(Explorer)
Robert Peary
6
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 6, 1856
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cresson, Pennsylvania
Died: February 20

US naval officer Robert Peary is credited with discovering the North Pole, with explorer Matthew Henson as his attendant, though he was challenged by Frederick A. Cook, who claimed to have achieved the feat independently before him. Later, diary entries revealed Peary may have been 100km short of the pole.

 8 
Peter Carl Fabergé
(Russian Jeweller Best Known for the Famous 'Fabergé Eggs' Made of Precious Metals and Gemstones)
Peter Carl Fabergé
4
Listed In: Fashion
Birthdate: May 30, 1846
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Saint Petersburg, Russia
Died: September 24

Apart from being the official jeweler of the Russian imperial court, Peter Carl Fabergé also created some of the most innovative jewelry designs, such as the iconic Fabergé eggs. He had also launched workshops in London, Moscow, and Kiev. Later, hounded by the revolutionary government, he fled to Switzerland.

 9 
Yaa Asantewaa
(Queens Mother)
Yaa Asantewaa
15
Birthdate: 1840 AD
Birthplace: Besease
Died: October 17

The Queen Mother of the Ashanti Empire, or modern-day Ghana, Yaa Asantewaa is remembered for leading her country against the British in the War of the Golden Stool. The war began when a British representative sat on the Golden Stool, considered a sacred emblem of the Ashanti people.

 10 
Olive Thomas
(American Silent-Film Actress, Art Model, and Photo Model)
Olive Thomas
2
Birthdate: October 20, 1894
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Charleroi, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: September 10
 11 
George Gipp
(American Football Player)
George Gipp
4
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 18, 1895
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Calumet Township, Michigan, United States
Died: December 14
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 12 
Max Bruch
(German Romantic Composer, Conductor & Educator)
Max Bruch
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 6, 1838
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Cologne, Germany
Died: October 2

Max Bruch composed his first song at 9 for his mother’s birthday and then earned a scholarship after creating a symphony at the tender age of 14. He worked extensively with the choral societies of Germany and is remembered for his iconic Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor.

 13 
John Reed
(Journalist, Poet)
John Reed
5
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 22, 1887
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States
Died: October 17
 14 
Venustiano Carranza
(44th President of Mexico)
Venustiano Carranza
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 29, 1859
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Cuatrociénegas Municipality, Mexico
Died: May 21

Venustiano Carranza was one of the most important leaders of the Mexican Revolution, which transformed the Mexican government and culture. A powerful and influential person, Carranza served as the head of state for two years before serving as the 44th president of Mexico from 1916 to 1920.

 15 
John Francis Dodge
(Entrepreneur, Businessperson)
John Francis Dodge
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: October 25, 1864
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Michigan
Died: January 14
 16 
Levi P. Morton
(Vice President of the United States (1889-93))
Levi P. Morton
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 16, 1824
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Shoreham, Vermont, United States
Died: May 16
 17 
Horace Elgin Dodge
(Industrialists)
Horace Elgin Dodge
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: May 17, 1868
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Niles, Michigan, United States
Died: December 10
 18 
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia
(Duchess)
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia
5
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 17, 1853
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Alexander Palace, Tsarskoye Selo, St. Petersburg, Russia
Died: October 24
 19 
William Dean Howells
(Novelist)
William Dean Howells
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 1, 1837
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Martins Ferry, Ohio, U.S.
Died: May 11
 20 
Sarada Devi
(Saint)
Sarada Devi
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 22, 1853
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Joyrambati, Bengal, British India
Died: July 20
 21 
Anders Zorn
(One of the Best Portrait Painters in Europe at the End of the 19th Century)
Anders Zorn
3
Birthdate: February 18, 1860
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mora, Sweden
Died: August 22

Anders Zorn was a Swedish artist who achieved international success as an etcher, sculptor, and painter. One of Sweden's most important artists, Zorn's paintings currently adorn the National Museum of Fine Arts which is located in Stockholm. Apart from creating brilliant works of art, Zorn is also credited with establishing the Bellman Prize, which is a literature prize awarded yearly.

 22 
Abraham Kuyper
(Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1901 - 1905))
Abraham Kuyper
0
Birthdate: October 29, 1837
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Maassluis, Netherlands
Died: November 8

After studying subjects such as literature and theology, Abraham Kuyper became a pastor and founded the Calvinist paper De Standaard. He later established the Anti-Revolutionary Party and also served the Netherlands as prime minister. He was also the founder of the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands.

 23 
Jeanne Hebuterne
(Painter)
Jeanne Hebuterne
1
Birthdate: April 6, 1898
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Meaux, Seine-et-Marne, French Third Republic
Died: January 26
 24 
Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
(Queen)
Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
3
Birthdate: May 14, 1854
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ludwigslust Palace, Ludwigslust, Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, German Confederation
Died: September 6

Duchess Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was the daughter of Grand Duke Frederick Francis II. Renowned for her sense of style and attractiveness, Marie was also popular for her sociability and wittiness. Marie was widely recognized and she received honors from several kingdoms and empires, including the Russian Empire.

 25 
Gaston Chevrolet
(French Racecar Driver and Automobile Manufacturer)
Gaston Chevrolet
0
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: October 4, 1892
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Beaune, Côte-d'Or, France
Died: November 25
 26 
Dmitri Ivanovsky
(Russian Botanist, the Co-Discoverer of Viruses and One of the Founders of Virology)
Dmitri Ivanovsky
3
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: October 28, 1864
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gdov, Russia
Died: June 20

Best remembered for his co-discovery of viruses during his research on the mosaic disease in tobacco, Russian botanist Dmitri Ivanovsky is regarded as one of the pioneers of virology. Interestingly, following his discovery, he didn’t focus on virology much and taught plant anatomy and physiology instead.

 27 
Otto Gross
(Austrian Psychoanalyst)
Otto Gross
0
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: March 17, 1877
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Gniebing-Weißenbach, Austria
Died: February 13

Born to renowned criminologist Hans Gross, Otto Gross initially worked with his father but later deviated to depth psychology. It is believed, he was a liberal drug user and an advocate of polyamory. He apparently allowed his wife to have sexual relationships with other men, often participating as an observer.

 28 
Benjamin Holt
(Inventor)
Benjamin Holt
0
Birthdate: January 1, 1849
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Concord
Died: December 5
 29 
Princess Margaret of Connaught
(Princess)
Princess Margaret of Connaught
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 15, 1882
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bagshot Park, Surrey, England
Died: May 1
 30 
Olive Schreiner
(Writer)
Olive Schreiner
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 24, 1855
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lesotho
Died: December 11
 31 
Prince Joachim of Prussia
(Prince)
Prince Joachim of Prussia
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 17, 1890
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Potsdam, Germany
Died: July 18
 32 
Kevin Barry
(Revolutionary)
Kevin Barry
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 20, 1902
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: November 1
 33 
Essad Pasha Toptani
(Former Prime Minister of Albania)
Essad Pasha Toptani
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: 1863 AD
Birthplace: Tirana, Albania
Died: June 13
Essad Pasha Toptani was an Ottoman army officer and an important politician in early 20th-century Albania. He served as the prime minister of Albania from 5 October 1914 to 24 February 1916. Essad Pasha Toptani also served as the second Minister of Internal Affairs as well as the second Minister of War from 14 March 1914 to 20 June 1914.
 34 
Eleanor H. Porter
(Novelist)
Eleanor H. Porter
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 19, 1868
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Littleton, New Hampshire, United States
Died: May 21
 35 
William C. Gorgas
(United States Army Physician and 22nd Surgeon General of the U.S. Army)
William C. Gorgas
0
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: October 3, 1854
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Toulminville, Alabama, United States
Died: July 3

U.S. Army physician William C. Gorgas was in charge of the sanitation of Panama and successfully eradicated both malaria and yellow fever from the zone, thus paving the way for the construction of the Panama Canal. He was later made part of the Hall of Fame For Great Americans.

 36 
Julia A. Moore
(American poet)
Julia A. Moore
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 1, 1847
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Plainfield charter Township, Michigan, United States
Died: June 5
 37 
Norman Lockyer
(British Scientist and Astronomer Known for Discovering the Gas Helium and Was the Founder of the Journal 'Nature')
Norman Lockyer
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: May 17, 1836
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Rugby, Warwickshire, England
Died: August 16

British astronomer Norman Lockyer is known for his discovery of the gas helium, along with French astronomer Pierre Janssen, though both worked independently. A talented author, too, he established the periodical Nature and remained associated with it till death. He was knighted for his achievements.

 38 
Percy French
(Songwriter)
Percy French
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: May 1, 1854
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Roscommon, Ireland
Died: January 24
 39 
Alexius Meinong
(Austrian Philosopher Known for His Unique Ontology)
Alexius Meinong
1
Birthdate: July 17, 1853
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Lviv, Ukraine
Died: November 27

Austrian philosopher Alexius Meinong is best remembered for his work on the theory of values and the theory of objects. He introduced four classes of objects and penned the iconic work Über Annahmen, discussing the assumptions people make when they decide if they know or don’t know about something.

 40 
Vahan Terian
(Poet)
Vahan Terian
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 9, 1885
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Gandzani, Tiflis Governorate, Russian Empire
Died: January 7
 41 
Inessa Armand
(Politician)
Inessa Armand
1
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: May 8, 1874
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: September 24
 42 
Madeline McDowell Breckinridge
(American Human Rights Activist and Social Reformer)
Madeline McDowell Breckinridge
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: May 20, 1872
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Franklin County, Kentucky, United States
Died: November 25

Madeline McDowell Breckinridge is best remembered for leading the women's suffrage movement in Kentucky. Mostly involved with campaigns related to children’s and women’s rights, she also established the Lexington Civic League, geared toward controlling child labor and upliftment of poor children. She was also associated with efforts to prevent tuberculosis.

 43 
Amos Whitney
(American Mechanical Engineer and Inventor Who Co-founded the 'Pratt & Whitney Company')
Amos Whitney
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: October 8, 1832
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Biddeford, Maine, United States
Died: August 5

Amos Whitney was in his early teens when he apprenticed at a machine company. He is best remembered for his manufacturing company Pratt & Whitney, which he set up with Francis A. Pratt. He had designed a number of innovative machine parts for sewing machines, guns, and typewriters.

 44 
Richard Dehmel
(Poet)
Richard Dehmel
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 18, 1863
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hermsdorf, Münchehofe, Germany
Died: February 8
 45 
Maria Bochkareva
(Soldier)
Maria Bochkareva
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1889
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nikolsko, Russia
Died: May 16
 46 
Charles Tomlinson Griffes
(Composer)
Charles Tomlinson Griffes
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: September 17, 1884
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Elmira, New York, United States
Died: April 8
 47 
Prince Luís of Orléans-Braganza
(Claimant to the former throne of the Empire of Brazil)
Prince Luís of Orléans-Braganza
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 26, 1878
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Petrópolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died: March 26
 48 
Heinrich Lammasch
(Jurist)
Heinrich Lammasch
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 21, 1853
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Seitenstetten, Austria
Died: January 6
 49 
William de Wiveleslie Abney
(British Astronomer, Chemist, and Photographer Known for His Development of a Photographic Emulsion)
William de Wiveleslie Abney
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: July 24, 1843
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Derby, England
Died: December 3

Sir William de Wiveleslie Abney was an English photographer, chemist, and astronomer. A pioneer of many technical facets of photography, Abney's work in the chemistry of photography led to developments in astronomy apart from producing useful photographic products. Sir William de Wiveleslie Abney also wrote several books on photography that went on to become standard texts at that time.

 50 
S. Ansky
(Russian Writer Best Known for His Play 'The Dybbuk')
S. Ansky
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: October 27, 1863
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Chashniki, Belarus
Died: November 8

Best known for his popular play The Dybbuk, which later became a cult classic and was also made into Yiddish and Hebrew movies, Russian Jewish author and folklorist S. Ansky was a specialist in oral literature. He was initially also associated with the socialist revolutionary movement of the Narodniki.