Famous People Who Died in 1934
Matthew Elliott
Updated on January 16, 2026
Discover the most famous people died who died in the year 1934. This list includes people like Marie Curie, John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Lev Vygotsky, Fritz Haber and many more. This list of celebrities is loosely sorted by popularity. People featured on this list, include political leaders, military leaders, composers and presidents who died in 1934. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom, Germany & France and many more countries.
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Birthdate: November 7, 1867
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland
Died: July 4
Amongst the most notable scientists of her time, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the sole person to win two Nobel Prize in two different category, and the first woman professor at the University of Paris—Marie Curie’s list of achievements is incredible. She did extensive research in the field of radioactivity and discovered polonium and radium.
Birthdate: June 2, 1857
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Broadheath, England
Died: February 23
3
Lev Vygotsky(Soviet Psychologist Known for His Work on Psychological Development in Children)
Birthdate: November 17, 1896
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Orsha, Belarus
Died: June 11
Lev Vygotsky was a Soviet psychologist best remembered for his groundbreaking work on developmental psychology in children. He is also remembered for his work on the relationship between thought and language, which remains influential to this day. A man with various interests, Vygotsky's work covered topics like the philosophy of science and the psychology of art.
Birthdate: December 9, 1868
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Wrocław
Died: January 29
Fritz Haber was a German chemist who was honored with the prestigious Nobel Prize in Chemistry for inventing the Haber-Bosch process. The process is used widely to synthesize ammonia from hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas. For his pioneering work in weaponizing poisonous gases like chlorine during World War I, Haber is referred to as the father of chemical warfare.
Birthdate: October 2, 1847
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Poznań, Poland
Died: August 2
Paul von Hindenburg served as the second president of the German Weimar Republic, from 1925 to 1934. In 1933, he appointed Adolf Hitler as the Chancellor of Germany, and also signed the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler total administrative powers. Following his death, Hitler declared himself the Führer.
Birthdate: September 21, 1874
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Died: May 25
7
Nestor Makhno(Ukrainian Anarchist Revolutionary and the Commander of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine)
Birthdate: November 7, 1888
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hulyaipole, Ukraine
Died: July 25
Remembered for his guerrilla tactics, his Robin Hood image, and his Black Army that kept the Red and White armies away from a part of Ukraine, Nestor Makhno lost his father as an infant. He began working on farms at age 7 and grew up to be an anarchist revolutionary.
8
Kurt von Schleicher(German General and the Last Chancellor of Germany—Before Adolf Hitler—During the Weimar Republic)
Birthdate: April 7, 1882
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brandenburg, Germany
Died: June 30
German general Kurt von Schleicher was the last Chancellor of the German Reich, or Weimar Republic, before Adolf Hitler came to power. He was killed on Hitler’s orders during the purge called the Night of the Long Knives. He had attempted to form an anti-Hitler coalition called the Querfront.
Birthdate: May 1, 1852
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Petilla de Aragón, Navarre, Spain
Died: October 18
While he apprenticed as a cobbler and a barber in childhood, Santiago Ramón y Cajal later took up medicine inspired by his father, a professor of anatomy. Cajal’s study of the microscopic structure of the human brain later formed the basis of neuroscience and earned him a Nobel Prize.
Birthdate: April 8, 1875
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Died: February 17
Albert I of Belgium ruled as King of the Belgians for over 25 years from 1909 to 1934. He played a crucial role during World War I, for which he is often referred to as the Soldier King or Knight King in Belgium. A renowned alpinist, Albert died in a mountaineering accident and his death was mourned around the world.
11
Kate Sheppard(The Most Prominent Member of the Women's Suffrage Movement in New Zealand)
Birthdate: March 10, 1847
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Liverpool, England
Died: July 13
Born in England and educated in Scotland, Kate Sheppard later moved with her family to New Zealand. A fiery feminist, she led the WCTU women’s suffrage campaign, making New Zealand the first country that granted its women the right to vote. She also encouraged women to participate in physical activities.
12
Marie Dressler(Actress, Comedian and Early Silent Film and Depression-Era Film Star)
Birthdate: November 9, 1868
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cobourg, Canada
Died: July 28
Marie Dressler was a Canadian comedian and actress. A major film star during the Depression-era, Dressler received the 1931 Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Min Divot in the 1930 American comedy-drama film, Min and Bill. Her life and career inspired a play titled Queen Marie, which was written by Shirley Barrie.
13
Gregor Strasser(Politician, Pharmacist)
Birthdate: May 31, 1892
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Geisenfeld
Died: July 1
Birthdate: May 18, 1895
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Niquinohomo, Nicaragua
Died: February 21
Augusto César Sandino was a Nicaraguan revolutionary. From 1927 to 1933, Sandino led a rebellion against the United States occupation of Nicaragua, due to which he was lauded as a hero throughout Latin America. Although the US government labeled him a bandit, Sandino went on to become a symbol of resistance and is revered as a national hero in Nicaragua.
Birthdate: January 29, 1862
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bradford, England
Died: June 10
16
Edmond James de Rothschild(Businessperson)
Birthdate: August 19, 1845
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Died: November 2
Edmond James de Rothschild was a French businessman with deep connections to the Rothschild banking family. He was a strong supporter of Zionism and donated significant amounts that went towards the establishment of the State of Israel. He also provided funds for the foundation of the Friends of the French National Museum of Natural History Society.
17
Franklin Clarence Mars(Businessperson)
Birthdate: September 24, 1883
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Newport, Minnesota, United States
Died: April 8
18
Engelbert Dollfuss(Politician, Diplomat, Lawyer)
Birthdate: October 4, 1892
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Texingtal
Died: July 25
Engelbert Dollfuss was an Austrian politician best remembered for his service as Chancellor of Austria from 1932 to 1934. In 1933, Dollfuss assumed dictatorial powers after dissolving the parliament. He then went on to ban the Austrian Nazi Party and strengthened his own political organization, The Fatherland Front. Engelbert Dollfuss was assassinated by Nazi agents in 1934.
19
Marinus van der Lubbe(Politician, Trade unionist)
Birthdate: January 13, 1909
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Leiden
Died: January 10
20
John McGraw(Baseball player)
Birthdate: April 7, 1873
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Truxton, New York, United States
Died: February 25
21
Winsor McCay(American Cartoonist and Animator)
Birthdate: September 26, 1869
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Spring Lake, Michigan, United States
Died: July 26
Winsor McCay was an American animator and cartoonist. McCay is best remembered for creating the popular fictional character Little Nemo, who originated in a comic strip titled Dream of the Rarebit Fiend. Winsor McCay is credited with pioneering several animation techniques, such as inbetweening and cycling. An early animation pioneer, Winsor McCay’s work has influenced generations of illustrators and cartoonists.
22
Alice Liddell(British Woman Who Was an Acquaintance and Photography Subject of 'Lewis Carroll')
Birthdate: May 4, 1852
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Westminster, London, England
Died: November 16
One of the 10 children of the dean of Christ Church, Henry Liddell, Alice Liddell was about 5 when she met mathematician Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known as author Lewis Carroll. It is believed she was the inspiration behind Carroll’s iconic creation Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
23
Maggie Lena Draper Walker(Entrepreneur)
Birthdate: July 15, 1864
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Died: December 15
24
Surya Sen(Bengali Revolutionary Who Took Part in Indian Independence Movement and Led the 1930 Chittagong Armoury Raid)
Birthdate: March 22, 1894
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Raozan Upazila, Bangladesh
Died: January 12
Surya Sen, popularly known as Master Da, was initially a school teacher in Chittagong and later an eminent freedom fighter. Best known for his association with the 1930 Chittagong armoury raid, he was later imprisoned by the British and tortured mercilessly, before being hanged to death.
25
Maurice Wilson(British Mountaineer, Aviator and Soldier)
Birthdate: April 21, 1898
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bradford, West Yorkshire, England
Died: June 1
26
Cass Gilbert(American Architect Who Designed the Woolworth Building and the United States Supreme Court Building)
Birthdate: November 24, 1859
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Zanesville, Ohio, United States
Died: May 17
Prominent American architect, Cass Gilbert was an early proponent of skyscrapers and designed public buildings in the Beaux-Arts style. Some of his works include the United States Supreme Court building, the Woolworth Building, and the Saint Louis Art Museum and Public Library. He also planned the campuses of the Universities of Texas (Austin) and Minnesota (Minneapolis).
27
E. A. Wallis Budge(Egyptologist)
Birthdate: July 27, 1857
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bodmin, England
Died: November 23
28
Infante Gonzalo of Spain(Infante)
Birthdate: October 24, 1914
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
Died: August 13
29
Jean Vigo(Film director, Film editor, Screenwriter)
Birthdate: April 26, 1905
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Paris
Died: October 5
30
Wallace Thurman(Novelist)
Birthdate: August 16, 1902
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Died: December 22
31
François Coty(French Businessman, Perfumer, Politician, Newspaper Publisher, and Patron of the Arts)
Birthdate: May 3, 1874
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Ajaccio, France
Died: July 25
32
Frank J. Sprague(Engineer)
Birthdate: July 25, 1857
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Milford
Died: October 25
33
Gustav Ritter von Kahr(German Jurist and Politician)
Birthdate: November 29, 1862
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Weissenburg, Germany
Died: June 30
Birthdate: February 12, 1850
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: February 5
William Morris Davis was an American geologist, geographer, meteorologist, and geomorphologist. Often referred to as the father of American geography, Davis is credited with founding the Association of American Geographers. He is also remembered for his association with the Geological Society of America, where he served as the president. In 1919, he was awarded the Royal Geographical Society's Gold Medal.
35
Elías García Martínez(Painter)
Birthdate: July 20, 1858
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Requena, Valencia, Spain
Died: August 1
Spanish painter Elías García Martínez was trained at an art academy in Barcelona and then served as a professor of ornamental and portrait painting throughout his life. One of his popular frescos in Borja, Ecce Homo, was destroyed by a woman because it needed to be restored, causing international uproar.
36
Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto(A Pioneer of the Trade Union Movement in Indonesia and the Founder of Sarekat Islam)
Birthdate: August 16, 1882
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Desa Bakur, Indonesia
Died: December 17
Omar Said Tjokroaminoto led the Indonesian nationalist movement in its early years. He was also closely associated with the Sarekat Islam, or Islamic Association, through which he pioneered the trade union movement in Indonesia. The Dutch called him the Crownless King of Java. He taught Sukarno, who later married his daughter.
37
Prince Alfonso, Count of Caserta(Aristocrat)
Birthdate: March 28, 1841
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Caserta, Kingdom of Two Sicilies Two Sicilies
Died: May 26
38
Raymond Hood(Architect)
Birthdate: March 29, 1881
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States
Died: August 14
Raymond Hood was an American aechitect who worked in the Neo-Gothic and Art Deco styles and is known for his outsized influence on 20th-century architecture. An early proponent of a “city of towers”, Hood advocated for larger assemblages of land. He was noted for skyscraper designs in Chicago and New York City and is known for designing Tribune Tower, Rockefeller Center, and American Radiator Building.
39
James Mark Baldwin(Philosopher, Psychologist, University teacher)
Birthdate: January 12, 1861
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Columbia
Died: November 8
40
Franz Schreker(Composer)
Birthdate: March 23, 1878
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Monaco
Died: March 21
41
Adrien de Gerlache(Belgian Officer in the Belgian Royal Navy Who Led the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897–99)
Birthdate: August 2, 1866
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hasselt, Belgium
Died: December 4
Adrien de Gerlache was a Belgian Royal Navy officer best remembered for leading the famous Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897–99. It was the first winter expedition to the Antarctic region and is also considered the maiden voyage of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Several geographical features like Mount Gerlache and Cape Gerlache have been named in his honor.
42
Charles Francis Jenkins(Inventor)
Birthdate: August 22, 1867
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dayton
Died: June 6
43
William Monroe Trotter(Editor)
Birthdate: April 7, 1872
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Chillicothe, Ohio, United States
Died: April 7
44
Carlos Chagas(Physician)
Birthdate: July 9, 1879
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Oliveira, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Died: November 8
Carlos Chagas was a Brazilian sanitary physician and bacteriologist. Also a clinician and researcher, he discovered Chagas disease, also called American trypanosomiasis, in 1909. He was working at the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Rio de Janeiro at that time. He was also the first to discover the parasitic fungal genus Pneumocystis. He founded a nursing school as well.
45
Manuel Márquez Sterling(Diplomat, Politician)
Birthdate: August 28, 1872
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Lima, Peru
Died: December 9
Manuel Márquez Sterling was a Cuban diplomat best remembered for his service as an interim President of Cuba on January 18, 1934; he served as the president for six hours before he was replaced by another interim President Carlos Mendieta. Manuel Márquez Sterling also served in the Cuban War of Independence and later served as the ambassador to the USA.
Birthdate: March 20, 1899
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Khizi, Azerbaijan
Died: December 31
Jafar Jabbarly was an Azerbaijani poet, playwright, director, and screenwriter. He is credited with establishing the art of screenwriting in Azerbaijan. Two of his well-known plays, Almaz and Sevil, were made into films. Jafar Jabbarly died at the age of 35 due to heart failure.
47
Georg Elias Müller(German Experimental Psychologist Who Is Credited with the Theory of Retroactive Interference)
Birthdate: July 20, 1850
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Grimma, Germany
Died: December 23
German psychologist Georg Elias Müller was born into a family of theologians and had initially been interested in mysticism, philosophy, and history. However, he eventually drifted apart to study psychology. A pioneer in the research on sensations, learning, and memory, he also laid down the concept of retroactive interference.
Birthdate: October 13, 1872
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Gorée
Died: May 11
Blaise Diagne was a Senegalese-French political leader who became the first black African elected to the French Chamber of Deputies. He was also the first to hold a position in the French government. He actively advocated for equal rights for all and was a pioneer of black African electoral politics. He was a freemason.
49
Doris Ulmann(Photographer)
Birthdate: May 29, 1882
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: August 28
50
Wallace Fard Muhammad(American religious leader)
Birthdate: February 26, 1877
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Died: 1934 AD
Wallace Fard Muhammad, who flounded the Nation of Islam, or Black Muslim, movement, was born in Mecca but later moved to the U.S. He mostly preached in and around Detroit and even opened the the Temple of Islam. Considered a reincarnation of Allah by his followers, he mysteriously disappeared in 1934.
