Famous people and celebrities who died in 1938

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1938. 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. 28 Bernd Rosemeyer

  Famous German racing driver known for his exceptional skills with Auto Union racing cars during the pre-World War II era.

• Feb. 5 Hans Litten

  Courageous German lawyer who famously cross-examined Adolf Hitler in 1931 and was later persecuted by the Nazi regime, dying in a...

• Feb. 7 Harvey Firestone

  American businessman founded firestone tire and rubber company (d. 38).

• Feb. 21 George Ellery Hale

  Hale is known for his contributions to the field of astronomy, including the development of the spectroheliograph and his work on the study...

• March 13 Clarence Darrow

  Clarence Darrow was a prominent American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, best known for his involvement in several high-profile cases including the Scopes 'Monkey' Trial and the defense of Leopold and Loeb. [bio]

• March 21 Oscar Apfel

  Actor (inspiration), passes away at 60.

• April 14 Gillis Grafström

  Gillis Grafström was a Swedish figure skater who won four Olympic gold medals.

• April 15 Cesar Vallejo

  Peruvian poet known for his innovative style and profound themes.

• April 21 Muhammad Iqbal

  Indian muslim poet, politician and philosopher in british india.

• May 4 Carl von Ossietzky

  German journalist and activist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1889).

• May 13 Charles Édouard Guillaume

  Swiss-french physicist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1861).

• June 1 Ödön von Horváth

  Influential Hungarian-German playwright and novelist known for his critical social commentary and modernist literary style.

• June 2 Nathanael Herreshoff

  American yacht designer and naval architect who designed numerous successful racing and cruising yachts.

• Aug. 4 Pearl White

  Pearl White was an American silent film actress, best known for her starring role in the popular film serial 'The Perils of Pauline,' which solidified her as one of the most recognized actresses of the early 20th century silent era. [bio]

• Aug. 6 Warner Oland

  Warner Oland was a Swedish-American actor best known for portraying Charlie Chan in a series of popular films during the 1930s, as well as Dr. Fu Manchu and other East Asian characters. [bio]

• Aug. 16 Robert Johnson

  Legendary Delta blues musician who profoundly influenced rock and blues music, known for mythical stories about selling his soul to the...

• Aug. 30 Max Factor

  Polish-born American make-up artist and entrepreneur who revolutionized the cosmetics industry by founding the iconic Max Factor Company,...

• Sept. 6 John Stuart Hindmarsh

  British racing driver and pilot known for his achievements in motorsports during the 1930s.

• Sept. 15 Thomas Wolfe

  Thomas Wolfe was a prominent American novelist of the early 20th century, renowned for his introspective and vividly descriptive works. His writing is characterized by its deeply autobiographical nature and lyrical style, most notably in his novel 'Look Homeward, Angel.' [bio]

• Sept. 17 Bruno Jasieński

  Influential Polish poet and author associated with the futurist movement, known for his avant-garde literary works and political activism.

• Sept. 28 Charles Duryea

  Co-founder of the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, one of the first American automobile manufacturers.

• Oct. 5 Faustina Kowalska

  Saint Faustina Kowalska was a Polish Roman Catholic nun known for her mystical experiences and her role in spreading the Divine Mercy...

• Nov. 10 Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

  Founder of the Republic of Turkey and a key figure in modernizing the country.

• Dec. 11 Christian Lous Lange

  Norwegian historian and educator, nobel prize laureate (b. 1869).

• Dec. 25 Karel Capek

  Czech writer famous for coining the term 'robot'.

• Dec. 27 Calvin Bridges

  American geneticist and academic (d. 1938).

• Dec. 28 Florence Lawrence

  Florence Lawrence was a pioneering Canadian-American actress, often referred to as "The First Movie Star." She appeared in nearly 300 films during the silent film era and was one of the first film actors to be publicly recognized and credited by name. [bio]

What happened in 1938?

Discover what the world looked like in 1938: