Famous people and celebrities who died in 1940

A dedicated page for remembering the famous people and celebrities who passed away in 1940. 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. 27 Isaac Babel

  Isaac Babel was a Russian short story writer, journalist, playwright, and literary translator, known for his lyrical style and depictions of...

• March 10 Mikhail Bulgakov

  Russian writer known for his novel 'The Master and Margarita'.

• March 16 Selma Ottilia Lovisa Lagerlöf

  Prize laureate in appreciation of the lofty idealism, vivid imagination and spiritual perception that characterize her writings.

• March 16 Selma Lagerlöf

  Swedish author and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1858).

• March 26 Spyridon Louis

  Greek marathon runner who won the first modern Olympic marathon in 1896.

• March 27 Madeleine Astor

  Madeleine Astor was an American socialite and the second wife of John Jacob Astor IV, who died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912.

• April 26 Carl Bosch

  German chemist and engineer, nobel prize laureate (b. 1874).

• May 14 Emma Goldman

  Emma Goldman was a prominent Russian-born anarchist, political activist, and writer known for her advocacy of social and political freedoms, including free speech, birth control, and workers' rights. She was a leading figure in the American anarchist movement, best known for her powerful lectures and editorial work, particularly as the founder of the anarchist magazine 'Mother Earth.' Goldman's outspoken support … [bio]

• May 14 Menno ter Braak

  Prominent Dutch modernist author and intellectual who was a significant literary critic and essayist in the interwar period.

• May 20 Carl Gustaf Verner von Heidenstam

  Prize laureate in recognition of his significance as the leading representative of a new era in our literature.

• May 20 Verner von Heidenstam

  Swedish author and poet, nobel prize laureate (b. 1859).

• May 23 Paul Nizan

  French intellectual, journalist, and novelist known for his critical works and political engagement.

• June 16 Willi Münzenberg

  German politician, a communist political activist.

• June 17 Arthur Harden

  English biochemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1865).

• June 19 Maurice Jaubert

  Maurice Jaubert was a prominent French film composer of the 1930s, known for creating subtle and mood-enhancing soundtracks for notable...

• June 20 Jehan Alain

  French classical composer and organist known for his innovative musical works.

• June 29 Paul Klee

  He was a swiss artist and teacher, and one of the most innovative artists of his generation.

• July 15 Robert Wadlow

  Robert Wadlow was an extraordinary American who held the world record for tallest person in history, suffering from hyperplasia of the...

• July 31 Udham Singh

  Indian field hockey player who won gold medals in the 1952, 1956, and 1964 Olympic Games.

• Aug. 18 Walter Chrysler

  Walter Chrysler was an influential American industrialist best known for founding the Chrysler Corporation in 1925. Starting his career as a machinist and railroad mechanic, Chrysler entered the automotive industry with Buick in 1912, quickly rising to become its president by 1916. He later became a vice president at General Motors before founding his own company. His leadership and innovative … [bio]

• Aug. 21 Leon Trotsky

  Leon Trotsky was a Russian revolutionary, Marxist theorist, and Soviet politician. He played a leading role in the Russian Revolution of 1917, was a founder and commander of the Red Army, and later became a prominent critic of Stalinism before being assassinated in exile. [bio]

• Aug. 30 J. J. Thomson

  English physicist and mathematician, nobel prize laureate (b. 1856).

• Aug. 30 Joseph John Thomson

  Prize laureate in recognition of the great merits of his theoretical and experimental investigations on the conduction of electricity by...

• Sept. 1 Lillian Wald

  Lillian Wald was an American nurse and social reformer who founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and pioneered the concept of...

• Sept. 27 Julius Wagner-Jauregg

  Austrian physician and neuroscientist, nobel prize laureate (b. 1857).

• Oct. 12 Tom Mix

  American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter (b. 1880).

• Nov. 9 Neville Chamberlain

  An english politician who was the prime minister of great britain between 1937-1940.

• Nov. 27 Nicolae Iorga

  Nicolae Iorga was a Romanian historian, politician, and literary critic, who served as a member of the Romanian Senate and as the Prime...

• Dec. 22 Nathanael West

  Influential American novelist known for his dark, satirical works that critiqued American society, particularly in Hollywood.

• Dec. 25 Agnes Ayres

  Agnes Ayres was an American silent film actress best known for her role opposite Rudolph Valentino in the 1921 classic 'The Sheik.' She enjoyed major stardom during the silent era but saw her career decline with the advent of sound films. [bio]

What happened in 1940?

Discover what the world looked like in 1940: