On This Day

Famous People Born in October 1869

Famous Birthdays

Person of interestMahatma Gandhi

Oct 2 Mahatma Gandhi [Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi], Indian independence activist and spiritual leader, born in Porbandar, Kathiawar Agency, British India (d. 1948)

Pacifist and Spiritual Leader Mahatma Gandhi
Pacifist and Spiritual Leader
Mahatma Gandhi
  • Oct 3 Clara Noyes, American nurse (head of the American Red Cross WW1), born in Port Deposit, Maryland (d. 1936)
  • Oct 3 Alfred Flatow, German gymnast (Olympic gold 1896), born in Danzig, Prussia (d. 1942)
  • Oct 8 J. Frank Duryea, American inventor (Duryea Motor Wagon Company, first auto built in the US), born in Washburn, Illinois (d. 1967)
  • Oct 9 Harry Lawrence Freeman, African-American composer, born in Cleveland, Ohio (d. 1954)
  • Oct 11 Frederic Norton, English composer (Chu Chin Chow), born in Broughton-in-Salford (d. 1946)
  • Oct 14 Joseph Duveen, British art connoisseur (Elgin marbles), born in Hull, Yorkshire, England (d. 1939)
  • Oct 23 Jacobus H "Koos" Speenhoff, Dutch singer

Person of interestJohn Heisman

Oct 23 John Heisman, American football coach who legalized the forward pass, originated the center snap and for which the Heisman Trophy is named, born in Cleveland, Ohio (d. 1936)

American Football Coach John Heisman
American Football Coach
John Heisman
  • Oct 25 August Halm, German composer, born in Vellberg, Germany (d. 1929)
  • Oct 26 Washington Luís, President of Brazil (1926-30), born in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro (d. 1957)
  • Oct 30 Lawrence Grant [Percy Reginald], British actor (Bulldog Drummond), born in Bournemouth, England (d. 1952)

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