Famous people and celebrities who died in 1909

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1909. This year saw the loss of many influential and beloved figures who left a lasting impact on the world. From entertainment icons and sports legends to renowned scholars and public figures, our comprehensive list pays tribute to their lives and legacies. Join us in honoring their contributions and celebrating their achievements as we reflect on their remarkable stories.

• Jan. 12 Hermann Minkowski

  Lithuanian-german mathematician and academic (b. 1864).

• Jan. 15 Arnold Janssen

  German priest and founder of the Society of the Divine Word.

• Jan. 17 Agathon Meurman

  Finnish politician and journalist (b. 1826).

• Jan. 22 Emil Erlenmeyer

  German chemist and academic (b. 1825).

• Feb. 2 Carlo Acton

  Italian composer and concert pianist (born in 1829).

• Feb. 17 Geronimo

  Renowned Apache leader known for his resistance against Mexican and American expansion.

• April 9 Helena Modjeska

  Polish-american actress (b. 1840).

• April 13 Whitley Stokes

  Anglo-irish lawyer and scholar (b. 1830).

• April 19 Signe Rink

  Greenland-born danish writer and ethnologist (b. 1836).

• May 18 Isaac Albéniz

  Spanish composer and pianist, known for his virtuosic piano works that helped establish the Spanish nationalist style of classical music.

• May 18 George Meredith

  English novelist and poet (b. 1828).

• June 10 Edward Everett Hale

  American minister, historian, and author (b. 1822).

• June 20 Friedrich Martens

  Estonian-russian historian, lawyer, and diplomat (b. 1845).

• June 24 Sarah Orne Jewett

  Sarah Orne Jewett was an American novelist and short story writer known for her depictions of rural New England life.

• July 11 Simon Newcomb

  Canadian astronomer, who became director of washington's nautical almanac office on september 15, 1877.

• July 23 Zygmunt Noskowski

  A Polish composer, conductor, and teacher who was one of the most prominent figures in Polish music in the late 19th century.

• July 23 Frederick Holder

  Australian politician, 19th premier of south australia (b. 1850).

• Aug. 8 Mary MacKillop

  An australian saint and nun co-founded the sisters of st joseph of the sacred heart (d. 1909).

• Aug. 14 William Stanley

  English engineer and philanthropist (d. 1909).

• Aug. 15 Euclides da Cunha

  Brazilian sociologist and journalist (b. 1866).

• Aug. 17 Madan Lal Dhingra

  Indian activist (b. 1883).

• Aug. 22 Henry Radcliffe Crocker

  English dermatologist and author (b. 1846).

• Sept. 4 Clyde Fitch

  American playwright and dramatist (born 1865).

• Oct. 16 Jakub Bart-Ćišinski

  German playwright and poet (d. 1909).

• Nov. 10 George Essex Evans

  Australian poet and educator (b. 1863).

• Nov. 14 Joshua Slocum

  Joshua Slocum was a Canadian-American author and sailor who was the first person to sail single-handedly around the world.

• Dec. 10 Red Cloud

  American tribal chief (of the oglala nation) (b. 1822).

• Dec. 26 Frederic Remington

  American artist and sculptor famous for his depictions of the American Old West.

• Dec. 31 Spencer Trask

  American financier and philanthropist (b. 1844).

What happened in 1909?

Discover what the world looked like in 1909: