Famous People Who Died In 1941

Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1941. This list includes people like Rabindranath Tagore, Lou Gehrig, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include poets, artists, political leaders and novelists who died in 1941. This list includes people from Germany, United States, United Kingdom & France and many more countries.
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 1 
Virginia Woolf
(One of the Most Important Modernist 20th-Century Authors)
Virginia Woolf
82
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 25, 1882
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kensington, London, England
Died: March 28

Virginia Woolf was an English writer who pioneered a narrative mode called stream of consciousness to describe the thoughts and feelings of the narrator. Regarded as one of the most prominent modernist 20th-century writers, Woolf's works have gained much attention for inspiring feminism. Her life and work have inspired several films, novels, and plays.

 2 
Wilhelm II
(German Emperor and King of Prussia (1888 - 1918))
Wilhelm II
32
Birthdate: January 27, 1859
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Died: June 4

Wilhelm II reigned as the King of Prussia and German emperor from 1888 to 1918. He is credited with promoting scientific innovation and building a blue-water navy, which strengthened Germany’s position as a great power. However, he was also responsible for getting his country involved in World War I, which eventually brought an end to the Hohenzollern dynasty’s rule.

 3 
James Joyce
(One of the Most Influential Writers of the 20th Century)
James Joyce
16
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 2, 1882
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rathgar, Ireland
Died: January 13

James Joyce was an Irish novelist, poet, teacher, short story writer, and literary critic. Widely considered one of the 20th century's most important and influential writers, James Joyce contributed immensely to the modernist avant-garde movement. Joyce's work has influenced several scholars and writers, such as Jorge Luis Borges, Salman Rushdie, Seán Ó Ríordáin, Flann O'Brien, John Updike, and Cormac McCarthy.

Rabindranath Tagore
78
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 7, 1861
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Died: August 7

Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian polymath who contributed greatly to the fields of literature, art, and philosophy. Referred to as the Bard of Bengal, Tagore is credited with reshaping Bengali literature and music. The first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, Tagore is also credited with composing the national anthems of India and Bangladesh.

 5 
Frederick Banting
(Co-Discoverer of Insulin)
Frederick Banting
9
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: November 14, 1891
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Alliston, New Tecumseth, Canada
Died: February 21

Frederick Banting was a Canadian medical scientist and physician. In 1923, Banting and Scottish biochemist John James Rickard Macleod received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for the discovery of insulin and its therapeutic potential. Aged 32 at that time, Banting remains the youngest Nobel laureate in physiology or medicine. He was knighted by King George V in 1934.

 6 
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
(First Chief Scout of the World-Renowned Scout Movement.)
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 22, 1857
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Paddington, London, England
Died: January 8
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell was a British Army officer and first Chief Scout of the world-renowned Scout Movement. He is also credited with co-founding the Guide Association, the national guiding organization of the UK. The recipient of the first Silver Buffalo Award, Robert Baden-Powell was also nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize on many occasions.
 7 
Banjo Paterson
24
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 17, 1864
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Orange
Died: February 5

Remembered for the legendary poems Waltzing Matilda and The Man from Snowy River, Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson was an Australian bush poet who depicted rural life through his works. Initially a law clerk and a journalist, he later adopted the pseudonym Banjo, which was his favorite horse’s name.

 8 
Louis Chevrolet
(Race Car Driver and Co-Founder of the ‘Chevrolet Motor Car Company’ and ‘Frontenac Motor Corporation’)
Louis Chevrolet
14
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: December 25, 1878
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
Died: June 6

Louis Chevrolet was a Swiss race car driver. He is credited with co-founding the Chevrolet Motor Car Company, which is currently a major manufacturer of cars. He is also credited with founding the Frontenac Motor Corporation. Louis Chevrolet was inducted into several halls of fame, including the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

 9 
Jelly Roll Morton
(Pianist, Bandleader, Composer, Conductor, Jazz musician)
Jelly Roll Morton
3
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 20, 1890
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Gulfport
Died: July 10
 10 
Henri Bergson
(French Philosopher and Winner of the 1927 Nobel Prize in Literature)
Henri Bergson
2
Birthdate: October 18, 1859
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: January 4

French philosopher, Henri Bergson, is remembered for his contribution to the tradition of continental philosophy. His works were considered extremely influential,  especially during the first half of the 20th century. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature (1927) and  Grand-Croix de la Legion d'honneur (1930). He was a simple man who led a humble life despite his great achievements.

 11 
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
 12 
Lou Gehrig
(One of the Most Durable Players in American Professional Baseball and One of its Great Hitters)
Lou Gehrig
113
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: June 19, 1903
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Yorkville, New York, United States
Died: June 2

Lou Gehrig was an American baseball player. Nicknamed The Iron Horse for his durability and prowess as a hitter, Lou Gehrig played for the New York Yankees of the Major League Baseball (MLB). His life and career inspired the 1942 film The Pride of the Yankees in which he was portrayed by actor Gary Cooper.

 13 
Annie Jump Cannon
(Astronomer)
Annie Jump Cannon
7
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: December 11, 1863
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Dover
Died: April 13

After studying physics and astronomy at Wellesley College, Annie Jump Cannon traveled across Europe and focused on photography for a decade, before venturing to study astronomy again. At the Harvard Observatory, she made a considerable contribution to the classification of stellar bodies. She was almost deaf due to scarlet fever.

 14 
Sherwood Anderson
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 13, 1876
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ohio, United States
Died: March 8
 15 
Amrita Shergil
(Greatest avant-garde women artists of the early 20th century)
Amrita Shergil
3
Birthdate: January 30, 1913
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
Died: December 5

Amrita Sher-Gil was a Hungarian-Indian painter best remembered as a pioneer of modern Indian art. Widely regarded as one of the early-20th century's greatest avant-garde women artists, Sher-Gil's work has influenced several Indian artists like Arpita Singh and Sayed Haider Raza. Her life and career inspired the 1969 documentary film Amrita Sher-Gil which was directed by Bhagwan Das Garga.

 16 
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
(3rd Prime Minister of Poland)
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 6, 1860
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kurylivka, Ukraine
Died: June 29

Ignacy Jan Paderewski was a Polish musician who went on to become the third Prime Minister of Poland after being a spokesman for Polish independence for a long time. He also played a significant role as the nation's foreign minister in 1919 when he signed the Treaty of Versailles, an important event that marked the end of World War I.

 17 
Bruno Mussolini
(Aviator)
Bruno Mussolini
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 22, 1918
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Milan
Died: August 7
 18 
Ernest Everett Just
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 14, 1883
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Died: October 27

Ernest Everett Just was an African-American biologist and academic. He is credited with recognizing the fundamental role of the cell surface in the development of organisms. As a black boy growing up in the late 19th century, he had to face enormous challenges before he could establish himself in his career. He co-founded the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.  

 19 
Maurice Leblanc
(French Novelist Known as the Creator of the Fictional Gentleman Thief and Detective ‘Arsène Lupin')
Maurice Leblanc
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 11, 1864
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Rouen, France
Died: November 6

French author Maurice Leblanc is best known for creating the character Arsène Lupin, who has been part of 60 of Leblanc’s crime stories and novels. He quit his law studies to become an author. Several of his films have been turned into films. He also earned the Légion d'Honneur.

 20 
Edward Rydz-Śmigły
(Commander-In-Chief and Inspector General of the Polish Armed Forces (1935 - 1939))
Edward Rydz-Śmigły
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 11, 1886
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Berezhany, Ukraine
Died: December 2

Edward Rydz-Śmigły was a Polish statesman, politician, poet, Marshal of Poland, painter, and supreme commander of Poland's armed forces. He was a much admired and respected public figure in Poland during the interwar period and was widely regarded as a national hero for his service as an army commander during World War I and the Polish–Soviet War.

 21 
Isaac C. Kidd
(Military officer)
Isaac C. Kidd
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: March 26, 1884
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Died: December 7
 22 
Walther Nernst
(Physicist and Chemist)
Walther Nernst
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 25, 1864
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Wąbrzeźno
Died: November 18

Walther Nernst was a German chemist best remembered for his work in physical chemistry, thermodynamics, solid state physics, and electrochemistry. He is credited with formulating the Nernst heat theorem, which was in turn used in the formulation of the third law of thermodynamics. Walther Nernst received the prestigious Nobel Prize in Chemistry in the year 1920.

 23 
James George Frazer
(Anthropologist, Writer, Historian, Mythographer)
James George Frazer
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 1, 1854
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Glasgow
Died: May 7
British anthropologist James George Frazer is best known for his book The Golden Bough, which details his study of ancient cults and myths. He also taught social anthropology at Cambridge. He was also knighted for his achievements and was also made a Fellow of The Royal Society.
 24 
Arthur Evans
(Archaeologist)
Arthur Evans
0
Birthdate: July 8, 1851
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nash Mills, England
Died: July 11
 25 
Robert Delaunay
(Artist)
Robert Delaunay
1
Birthdate: April 12, 1885
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: October 25
 26 
Maximilian Kolbe
(Polish Catholic Priest and Conventual Franciscan Friar)
Maximilian Kolbe
5
Birthdate: January 8, 1894
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Zduńska Wola, Poland
Died: August 14

Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish Conventual Franciscan friar and a Catholic priest. Venerated as Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Maximilian is best remembered for volunteering to die at the death camp of Auschwitz in place of a stranger during World War II. In 1982, Pope John Paul II declared Maximilian Kolbe a martyr of charity.

 27 
Jock Lewes
(Military personnel)
Jock Lewes
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: December 21, 1913
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kolkata Calcutta, Bengal, British India
Died: December 31
 28 
Kurt Koffka
(German Psychologist and Professor)
Kurt Koffka
3
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 18, 1886
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Died: November 22
 29 
Edwin S. Porter
(Pioneering Filmmaker of the Early 1900s)
Edwin S. Porter
1
Birthdate: April 21, 1870
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Connellsville, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: April 30

Director Edwin S. Porter, best known for films such as The Life of An American Fireman and The Great Train Robbery, revolutionized filmmaking with his pioneering technique of cross-cutting in editing. He had previously been a tailor and had served the US Navy, before being hired by the Edison Company.

 30 
Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya
(Resistance fighter)
Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: September 13, 1923
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Osino-Gay, Russia
Died: November 29
 31 
Émile Nelligan
(Canadian Poet)
Émile Nelligan
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 24, 1879
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died: November 18
Émile Nelligan was French-Canada’s one of the most beloved and admired poets. A hugely talented poet, Nelligan's literary career was short-lived as he was sent to mental asylum aged 20. He took French-Canadian poetry into the modern age and poetry inspired several music composers. His poems have become the subject of numerous films, novels, and a ballet and an opera. 
 32 
Benjamin Lee Whorf
(Anthropologist, Linguist)
Benjamin Lee Whorf
1
Birthdate: April 24, 1897
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Winthrop, Massachusetts
Died: July 26

Benjamin Lee Whorf was a linguist cum fire prevention engineer. Along with his mentor Edward Sapir, he developed what is frequently called the “Sapir–Whorf hypothesis.” Even though he was a chemical engineer by profession, he developed an early interest in linguistics and presented several papers at linguistics conferences. Unfortunately, he died at the relatively young age of 44. 

 33 
Eduard Freiherr von Böhm-Ermolli
(Austrian general during World War I who rose to the rank of field marshal in the Austro-Hungarian Army)
Eduard Freiherr von Böhm-Ermolli
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 12, 1856
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ancona, Italy
Died: December 9
 34 
Tullio Levi-Civita
(Mathematician)
Tullio Levi-Civita
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: March 29, 1873
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Padua
Died: December 29
 35 
Alfonso XIII of Spain
(King of Spain from 1886 to 1931)
Alfonso XIII of Spain
5
Birthdate: May 17, 1886
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
Died: February 28

Alfonso XIII began ruling as the king of Spain under the regency of his mother, María Cristina. His strategy of rotating governments led to 33 governments in 21 years. Known as El Africano for his support to those who wished to colonialize African countries, he eventually had to leave Spain.

 36 
Gaetano Mosca
(Former Member of Italian Chamber of Deputies for Palermo (1909 - 1919))
Gaetano Mosca
0
Birthdate: April 1, 1858
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Palermo, Italy
Died: November 8

Gaetano Mosca was an Italian journalist, political scientist, and public servant. He developed the elite theory and is credited with co-founding the Italian school of elitism along with Robert Michels and Vilfredo Pareto. As a political journalist, Gaetano Mosca contributed immensely to popular Italian publications like the Corriere della Sera and the Tribuna.

 37 
Werner Sombart
(German Economist and Sociologist Known for Coining the Term ‘Late Capitalism')
Werner Sombart
0
Birthdate: January 19, 1863
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ermsleben, Falkenstein, Germany
Died: May 18

Werner Sombart was a German sociologist and economist. He was one of the 20th century's most important Continental European social scientists who served as the leader of the Youngest Historical School. Werner Sombart is credited with coining the phrase late capitalism. He is also remembered for his magnum opus, Der moderne Kapitalismus.

 38 
Elizabeth von Arnim
(Novelist)
Elizabeth von Arnim
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: August 31, 1866
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kirribilli Point, Australia
Died: February 9
 39 
John Lavery
(Painter)
John Lavery
0
Birthdate: March 20, 1856
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Belfast, Ireland
Died: January 10

A major figure of the Glasgow school of painting, Irish painter John Lavery is remembered for his realism in his portraits, landscapes, and war paintings. Though made the official artist for World War I, health issues prevented him from fulfilling the role. He was, nevertheless, knighted for his achievements.

 40 
Hugh Walpole
(British Novelist)
Hugh Walpole
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: March 13, 1884
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Auckland, New Zealand
Died: June 1

While he initially taught and read at the Anglican Church, British author Sir Hugh Walpole later focused on writing. He is perhaps best known for his works such as the Jeremy series of autobiographical novels and Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill. He also penned scripts for a few Hollywood movies.

 41 
Émile Bernard
(Post-Impressionist painter, Writer)
Émile Bernard
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 28, 1868
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Lille, France
Died: April 16
 42 
Alexej von Jawlensky
(Russian Expressionist Painter)
Alexej von Jawlensky
0
Birthdate: March 26, 1864
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Torzhok, Russia
Died: March 15

Alexej von Jawlensky was a Russian painter best remembered for his work in Germany. An influential figure, Jawlensky was an important member of several popular groups like the New Munich Artist's Association, The Blue Rider, and The Blue Four. The Jawlensky Award was established in his honor in 1991. The award is presented once every five years.

 43 
Nicolae Titulescu
(Diplomat)
Nicolae Titulescu
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 4, 1882
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Craiova, Romania
Died: March 17
 44 
Émile Picard
(Mathematician)
Émile Picard
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: July 24, 1856
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: December 11
 45 
Frank Bridge
(Composer, Conductor, Music educator)
Frank Bridge
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: February 26, 1879
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brighton
Died: January 10
 46 
Simon Dubnow
(Russian Historian Who Introduced a Sociological Emphasis Into the Study of Jewish History)
Simon Dubnow
0
Birthdate: September 10, 1860
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mstislavl, Belarus
Died: December 8

Russian historian Simon Dubnow is best remembered for instilling a sociological element in the study of Jewish history. A well-known teacher and author, he was also involved with the Jewish magazine Voskhod. He escaped to Germany to avoid Bolshevism but was eventually killed by the Nazis.

 47 
J. Stuart Blackton
(Film Producer)
J. Stuart Blackton
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 5, 1875
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sheffield, England
Died: August 13
 48 
Hjalmar Söderberg
(Swedish Author Remembered for His Portrayal of Melancholia and Irony)
Hjalmar Söderberg
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 2, 1869
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
Died: October 14

Swedish author, playwright, and journalist Hjalmar Söderberg had begun his career as a civil servant, before switching to full-time writing. Known for his novels such as Doctor Glas and Martin Birck’s Youth, he also penned short story collections such as Historietter. His themes are often melancholic and cynical.

 49 
Masha Bruskina
(Nurse)
Masha Bruskina
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: 1924 AD
Birthplace: Minsk, Belarus
Died: October 26
 50 
Daniel Carter Beard
(American Illustrator, Author, and Social Reformer Who was a Pioneer of the Youth Scouting Movement)
Daniel Carter Beard
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 21, 1850
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Died: June 11

Daniel Carter Beard was an American author, illustrator, social reformer, and Georgist. He is credited with founding the Sons of Daniel Boone, which he later integrated with the Boy Scouts of America. He also served as the editor of Boys' Life magazine and helped his sister assemble the Camp Fire Girls.