Died On April 17th

Discover the most famous people who died on April 17. The list includes people like Benjamin Franklin, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, A. Alfred Taubman, Roger Wolcott Sperry, Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Famous personalities featured on this list, include philosophers, poets, composers and political leaders and from other domains of life. This list includes people from United States, France, United Kingdom and many more countries.
Vote for Your Favourite Died On April 17th

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 
Benjamin Franklin
(One of the Founding Fathers of the United States)
Benjamin Franklin
79
Birthdate: January 17, 1706
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died: 1790

Benjamin Franklin is considered one of the founding fathers of the United States as he was a signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was a writer, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist, an accomplished diplomat and much more. He is a key figure in the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity.

 2 
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
(Nobel Prize Winner in Literature)
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
43
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 6, 1927
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Aracataca, Colombia
Died: 2014

Nobel Prize-winning Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, also known as “Gabo,” is remembered as one of the most prominent figures of the magic realism literary style. His novels One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love in the Time of Cholera have achieved cult status. He previously worked as a journalist.

 3 
Linda McCartney
(American Photographer, Musician, Animal Rights Activist and Vegetarian Cook Book Author)
Linda McCartney
26
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: September 4, 1941
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Scarsdale, New York, United States
Died: 1998
Linda McCartney, the first wife of Paul McCartney, formed the band Wings with her husband, after the Beatles disbanded. An animal rights activist, she wrote several vegetarian cookbooks, apart from launching Linda McCartney Foods. She was also a skilled photographer and published a photo book. She died of breast cancer.  
 4 
Doris Roberts
(American Actress Who Had a Long Career Spanning Seven Decades)
Doris Roberts
13
Birthdate: November 4, 1925
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: 2016

Five-time Emmy Award-winning actor Doris Roberts is best remembered as Marie Barone from the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond and as Mildred Krebs from Remington Steele. She also appeared on various talk/game shows and in films such as The Honeymoon Killers. She was a prominent animal rights activist, too.

 5 
Barbara Bush
(Former First Lady of the United States as the Wife of President George H. W. Bush)
Barbara Bush
24
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 8, 1925
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York, United States
Died: 2018

The first lady of the United States from 1989 to 1993, Barbara Bush was the wife of the 41st US President George H. W. Bush. She was also the mother of  George W. Bush, the 43rd president of US. As the first lady, she focused on family literacy and was the founder of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

 6 
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
(2nd President of India (1962 – 1967), 1st Vice President of India (1952 - 1962))
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
87
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 5, 1888
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Thiruttani, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: 1975

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the second President of India and served from 1962 to 1967. He is regarded as one of India’s most eminent scholars and wrote extensively on Indian philosophy and religion. Lifelong he defended Hindu traditions and culture against criticism from the West. September 5, his birthday, is observed as Teachers Day in India, in his honour.

 7 
John Paul Getty Jr.
(Philanthropist)
John Paul Getty Jr.
5
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 7, 1932
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Italy
Died: 2003
 8 
Eddie Cochran
(guitarist,singer, singer-songwriter, composer)
Eddie Cochran
6
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 3, 1938
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Albert Lea
Died: 1960
 9 
Deanna Durbin
(Actress & Singer)
Deanna Durbin
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: December 4, 1921
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died: 2013
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 10 
Michael Sarrazin
(Actor)
Michael Sarrazin
4
Birthdate: May 22, 1940
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Died: 2011
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 11 
Dick Shawn
(American Actor and Comedian)
Dick Shawn
5
Birthdate: December 1, 1923
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lackawanna, New York, United States
Died: 1987
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 12 
Kitty Carlisle
(actor,singer, musician, opera singer)
Kitty Carlisle
3
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: September 3, 1910
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: New Orleans
Died: 2007
 13 
Juana Inés de la Cruz
(Mexican Writer, Philosopher, Composer and Poet of the 'Baroque Period')
Juana Inés de la Cruz
10
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 12, 1648
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tepetlixpa, Mexico
Died: 1695

Mexican nun Juana Inés de la Cruz was one of the finest authors of the Latin American colonial era. Initially the lady-in-waiting of Mexico’s viceroy, she later took her vows. She built a huge library and penned masterpieces such as the poem Primero sueño and the religious drama El divino Narciso.

 14 
Soundarya
(Actress)
Soundarya
7
Birthdate: July 18, 1972
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Mulbagal, Kolar, Karnataka, India
Died: 2004
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 15 
Henry Fuseli
(Swiss Painter Whose Paintings are Among the Most Dramatic, Original, and Sensual Works of His Time)
Henry Fuseli
2
Birthdate: February 7, 1741
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Zürich, Switzerland
Died: 1825

Swiss artist Henry Fuseli is remembered for the drama and sensuality showcased in his paintings. Though born to a landscape and portrait painter, he was initially taught theology. After leaving the country due to political risks, he made it to Britain and Italy. He later contributed to the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery.

 16 
Marcel Dassault
(French Engineer and Industrialist)
Marcel Dassault
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: January 23, 1892
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: 1986

Marcel Dassault was a French industrialist and engineer. He played an important role during the First World War when he developed a type of aircraft propeller which was used by the French army. In 1916, he worked with Louis Coroller and Henry Potez to form a company named Société d'Études Aéronautiques in order to manufacture the SEA series of fighters.

 17 
Robert Atkins
(American Physician and Cardiologist Best Known for the Atkins Diet)
Robert Atkins
1
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: October 17, 1930
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio, United States
Died: 2003

Cardiologist Robert Coleman Atkins lent his name to the Atkins Diet, which promotes controlled carbohydrate consumption and eventually led to him being named the 2002 Time Person of the Year. Though he initially aspired to be a comedian, he later switched his focus to medicine and joined Cornell.

 18 
Roger Wolcott Sperry
(Neuropsychologist)
Roger Wolcott Sperry
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 20, 1913
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Died: 1994
 19 
Aime Cesaire
(Poet)
Aime Cesaire
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 26, 1913
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Basse-Pointe, Martinique, France
Died: 2008
 20 
Nasser Al-Kharafi
(Businessman of M. A. Kharafi & Sons)
Nasser Al-Kharafi
4
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: June 17, 1943
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kuwait City, Kuwait
Died: 2011
 21 
Turgut Özal
(The 8th President and 19th Prime Minister of Turkey)
Turgut Özal
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: October 13, 1927
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Malatya
Died: 1993

The 8th president of Turkey, Turgut Özal was also the country’s 19th prime minister. He led the Motherland Party, also known as ANAP, and had also worked with the World Bank as an economist. He died of a heart attack while in office, though many believe he may have been poisoned.

 22 
Kateri Tekakwitha
(Saint)
Kateri Tekakwitha
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1656 AD
Birthplace: Auriesville, New York, United States
Died: 1680
Kateri Tekakwitha was a Catholic saint known for her virtue of chastity and mortification of the flesh. She was the first North American Indian canonized as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. Tekakwitha was known as “Lily of the Mohawks” in recognition of her kindness. Pope Benedict XVI recognized Tekakwitha as a saint and she was later canonized.
 23 
Carlton Barrett
(Percussionist, Drummer, Songwriter)
Carlton Barrett
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 17, 1950
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica
Died: 1987

Carlton Barrett was a Jamaican musician remembered for his association with the popular reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers where he was the drummer for a long period of time. Renowned for his innovative style and dazzling drum introductions, Carlton Barrett's recordings with Bob Marley have been celebrated worldwide. Barrett is credited with popularizing Jamaica's beloved One Drop rhythm.

 24 
Proclus
(Turkish Philosopher)
Proclus
1
Birthdate: February 8, 0412
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Constantinople
Died: 0485
 25 
Bessie Emery Head
(Former writer who wrote novels, short fiction and autobiographical works that are infused with spiritual questioning and reflection)
Bessie Emery Head
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 6, 1937
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Died: 1986
 26 
Louise Nevelson
(Sculptor, Painter)
Louise Nevelson
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 23, 1899
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi
Died: 1988

Louise Nevelson was an American sculptor best remembered for her monochromatic outdoor sculptures and wooden wall pieces. Although she was not a feminist, Nevelson's work played a major role in the development of the feminist art movement in the United States. Louise Nevelson is widely regarded as one of the 20th-century's most prominent American sculptors.

 27 
Danny Federici
(Organist, Musician)
Danny Federici
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 23, 1950
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Flemington, New Jersey, United States
Died: 2008
 28 
Bennie G. Adkins
(Soldier)
Bennie G. Adkins
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 1, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Waurika, Oklahoma, United States
Died: 2020
 29 
Cheo Feliciano
(Puerto Rican Singer and Composer )
Cheo Feliciano
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: July 3, 1935
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Died: 2014
 30 
Frank McGee
(Journalist)
Frank McGee
0
Birthdate: September 12, 1921
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Monroe, Louisiana, United States
Died: 1974
 31 
Alexander Mackenzie
(Former Prime Minister of Canada)
Alexander Mackenzie
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 28, 1822
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Logierait, Scotland
Died: 1892
 32 
Bi Kidude
(Singer)
Bi Kidude
0
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: 1910 AD
Birthplace: Zanzibar, Tanzania
Died: 2013
 33 
Henry Allen
(Jazz trumpeter)
Henry Allen
0
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: January 7, 1908
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Algiers, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Died: 1967
 34 
Kantarō Suzuki
(Political leader)
Kantarō Suzuki
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 18, 1868
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kuze, Izumi, Japan
Died: 1948

Kantarō Suzuki was the last leader of the Imperial Rule Assistance Association and the last premier of Japan at the time of World War II, following which he surrendered to the Allied powers. He had previously gained accolades for his role in the Russo-Japanese War and the First Sino-Japanese War.

 35 
Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné
(Aristocrat)
Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 5, 1626
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: 1696
 36 
Ralph Abernathy
(American Civil Rights Activist and 2nd President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1968 - 1977))
Ralph Abernathy
5
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: March 11, 1926
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Linden, Alabama, United States
Died: 1990
American civil rights activist Ralph Abernathy collaborated with Martin Luther King Jr to create the Montgomery Improvement Association.  Abernathy, who also served as an advisory committee member of the Congress on Racial Equality, addressed the United Nations about world peace in 1971. During the Wounded Knee incident of 1973, he helped broker a deal between the FBI and Indian protestors.
 37 
Jean Baptiste Perrin
(French Physicist and Winner of the 1926 Nobel Prize for Physics)
Jean Baptiste Perrin
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: September 30, 1870
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lille, France
Died: 1942

Jean Baptiste Perrin was a French physicist who won the prestigious Nobel Prize for Physics in 1926. He is credited with confirming the atomic nature of matter. Jean Baptiste Perrin also served as a professor at the University of Paris for many years.

 38 
George, Duke of Saxony
(Duke)
George, Duke of Saxony
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 27, 1471
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Meissen, Germany
Died: 1539
 39 
Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
(Holy Roman Emperor and Ruler of the Austrian Habsburg Monarchy from 1705 to 1711)
Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor
2
Birthdate: July 26, 1678
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 1711

Emperor Leopold I’s eldest son, Joseph I became the king of Hungary at the tender age of 9 and the king of Romans at 11. Though he strengthened Austria’s financial situation, bringing the Viennese city bank under the state, he failed to retain the Spanish crown for the Habsburg Monarchy.

 40 
Francis George
(Archbishop Emeritus of Chicago)
Francis George
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 16, 1937
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: 2015

Francis Eugene Cardinal George was a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. From 1997 to 2014, he served as the Archbishop of Chicago. He also served as the Bishop of Yakima from 1990 to 1996. In 1998, he was created a cardinal and later served as president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) between 2007 and 2010.

 41 
Jorge Isaacs
(Colombian Novelist, Poet, and Writer of the Romantic Genre)
Jorge Isaacs
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 1, 1837
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Cali, Colombia
Died: 1895

Jorge Isaacs was a Colombian novelist, poet, and writer of the romantic genre. His only novel María was among the most popular Spanish-language works of the Romantic Movement. The novel, which was published in 1867, was translated into 31 languages. Jorge Isaacs achieved popularity in Colombia as well as other Latin American countries, which helped his political and journalistic career.

 42 
Ekkathat
(King)
Ekkathat
0
Birthdate: 1718 AD
Birthplace: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand
Died: 1767
 43 
Alf Sjöberg
(Director)
Alf Sjöberg
0
Birthdate: June 21, 1903
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: 1980
 44 
Abba Kyari
(Businessperson)
Abba Kyari
1
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: September 23, 1952
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Borno, Nigeria
Died: 2020
 45 
Chaim Herzog
(6th President of Israel)
Chaim Herzog
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 17, 1918
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Belfast, Ireland
Died: 1997
Chaim Herzog was an Irish-born Israeli politician, author, and lawyer. He is best remembered for his service as the sixth President of Israel from 5 May 1983 to 13 May 1993. Chaim Herzog was part of the Israel Defence Forces, where he achieved the rank of major-general, and played an important role during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
 46 
Orestes Brownson
(American Preacher and Philosopher)
Orestes Brownson
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 16, 1803
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Stockbridge, Vermont, United States
Died: 1876

American theological and philosophical writer Orestes Brownson had been through massive religious confusion in his early days, when he switched from Presbyterianism, to Universalism, to Unitarianism, before finally converting to Catholicism. His writings include The Convert and The American Republic. He also wrote extensively on Transcendentalism.

 47 
Juan Bautista Sacasa
(President of Nicaragua (1933 to 1936))
Juan Bautista Sacasa
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 21, 1874
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: León, Nicaragua
Died: 1946

Juan Bautista Sacasa was a Nicaraguan political figure best remembered for his service as the President of Nicaragua from 1933 to 1936. An influential politician, Sacasa also served as the Vice President of Nicaragua from 1925 to 1926. The decline of his popularity at the end of his presidency marked the rise of the infamous dictator, Anastasio Somoza García.

 48 
Piet Hein
(Polymath)
Piet Hein
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 16, 1905
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Copenhagen, Denmark
Died: 1996

Piet Hein was a Danish polymath. He was an expert in mathematics and was also an inventor, designer, and writer. He studied at the University of Copenhagen and Technical University of Denmark. He joined the Danish resistance movement when the Germans invaded Denmark. In his later years, he invented the Soma cube and devised the games of Hex and Tower.   

 49 
Patrick Geddes
(Scottish Biologist, Sociologist and Pioneering Town Planner Who Coined the Term 'Conurbation')
Patrick Geddes
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 2, 1854
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ballater, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Died: 1932

Apart from being a sociologist and biologist, Patrick Geddes was known for his impeccable sense of town planning. While he initially taught botany in Dundee, he later turned to sociology and conducted studies in India, Mexico, and other countries. He was eventually knighted for his achievements.

 50 
Robert of Molesme
(Roman Catholic saint)
Robert of Molesme
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1028 AD
Birthplace: Troyes, France
Died: 1111