Famous Scientists’ Birthdays: A Complete List of 20+ Geniuses

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Looking for a list of brilliant minds who changed the world? From Albert Einstein’s mind-bending theories to Marie Curie’s groundbreaking discoveries in radioactivity, scientists shape our understanding of the universe. Here’s a month-by-month guide to the birthdays of some of the most famous scientists — perfect for students, educators, or any science enthusiast who loves celebrating curiosity and innovation.

Famous Scientists’ Birthdays Month by Month

Live Calendar to Track Each Birthdays

Discover a live calendar that keeps track of your favourite scientists’ birthdays. Follow Cakes and Days to get reminders and never miss the perfect moment to celebrate a genius!

January – Birthdays of Famous Scientists

• Isaac Newton (January 4, 1643) – Newton formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, which became the foundation of classical physics. Beyond physics, he made significant contributions to mathematics, developing calculus independently alongside Leibniz, and even spent years studying optics, demonstrating that white light is composed of a spectrum of colors.

• Stephen Hawking (January 8, 1942) – One of the most influential theoretical physicists of our time, Hawking explored black holes, cosmology, and quantum gravity. His work on Hawking radiation revealed that black holes can emit particles, fundamentally changing our understanding of these cosmic giants. He also wrote A Brief History of Time, bringing complex concepts to the public.

• Francis Bacon (January 22, 1561) – Often called the father of the scientific method, Bacon emphasized observation and experimentation over pure speculation. His work laid the groundwork for modern empirical science and inspired generations of scientists to approach discovery systematically.

February – Scientists Born in February

• Charles Darwin (February 12, 1809) – Darwin transformed biology with his theory of evolution by natural selection, explaining how species adapt over time. His voyage on the HMS Beagle and observations of finches in the Galápagos Islands provided evidence that life is in constant flux. His work remains foundational in biology today.

• Galileo Galilei (February 15, 1564) – Known as the father of modern science, Galileo revolutionized astronomy with his telescopic observations. He discovered Jupiter’s moons, observed the phases of Venus, and supported the heliocentric model, challenging long-held geocentric beliefs and laying the groundwork for modern physics and astronomy.

March – Famous Scientists Born in March

• Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847) – Bell is best known for inventing the telephone, but he was also deeply involved in sound and speech research. He worked extensively with the deaf, developing innovative teaching methods, and experimented with early aviation and optical telecommunications.

• Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879) – Einstein’s theory of relativity reshaped our understanding of time, space, and energy. Beyond relativity, he made key contributions to quantum theory, statistical mechanics, and cosmology. He received the Nobel Prize for his explanation of the photoelectric effect, which helped usher in the quantum age.

April – Scientists’ Birthdays in April

• Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452) – A true Renaissance genius, Leonardo was not only a master painter but also an inventor, engineer, and anatomist. He sketched flying machines, armored vehicles, and intricate anatomical drawings centuries ahead of their time. His curiosity spanned the natural world, mechanics, and art.

• Max Planck (April 23, 1858) – The father of quantum theory, Planck introduced the idea that energy is quantized, revolutionizing physics. His work helped explain black-body radiation and paved the way for quantum mechanics, profoundly influencing how we understand matter and energy today.

May – Scientists Born in May

• Richard Feynman (May 11, 1918) – Feynman was a Nobel-winning physicist who developed quantum electrodynamics and popularized physics with his charismatic teaching style. Known for his curiosity and playful approach, he also worked on the Manhattan Project and solved complex problems with diagrams now known as Feynman diagrams.

• Carl Linnaeus (May 23, 1707) – Linnaeus created the system of binomial nomenclature that is still used to name species today. By classifying and organizing the natural world systematically, he provided a universal language for biology, helping scientists communicate discoveries across the globe.

June – Birthdays of Famous Scientists

• Alan Turing (June 23, 1912) – A brilliant mathematician and cryptanalyst, Turing is considered the father of computer science. He designed the Turing Machine, conceptualizing modern computation, and cracked Nazi codes during WWII, significantly aiding the Allied war effort.

• Antoine Lavoisier (June 26, 1743) – Known as the father of modern chemistry, Lavoisier identified oxygen’s role in combustion and helped develop the law of conservation of mass. He also reformed chemical nomenclature and worked to make chemistry a quantitative science.

July – Famous Scientists Born in July

• Nikola Tesla (July 10, 1856) – Tesla was a visionary inventor who developed AC electricity, radio technology, and early ideas for wireless power transmission. His eccentric personality and ambitious experiments made him a legendary figure in electrical engineering.

• Gregor Mendel (July 20, 1822) – Mendel’s meticulous experiments with pea plants uncovered the fundamental laws of inheritance. His work on dominant and recessive traits established the foundation of genetics, though its importance wasn’t recognized until decades later.

August – Scientists Born in August

• Erwin Schrödinger (August 12, 1887) – Schrödinger formulated wave mechanics and proposed the famous thought experiment “Schrödinger’s Cat,” which illustrated quantum superposition. His work remains central to quantum theory and philosophy of physics.

• Michael Faraday (August 22, 1791) – Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction, laying the foundation for electric motors and transformers. He also made key advances in electrochemistry and was famous for his clear, accessible lectures that inspired generations of scientists.

September – Birthdays of Great Scientists

• James Clerk Maxwell (September 13, 1831) – Maxwell’s equations unified electricity, magnetism, and light, predicting that light is an electromagnetic wave. His work laid the foundation for modern physics, influencing relativity and quantum theory.

• Rosalind Franklin (September 25, 1920) – Franklin’s X-ray diffraction images were crucial for discovering DNA’s double helix structure. Her meticulous research provided the evidence that allowed Watson and Crick to build their famous model.

November – Famous Scientists Born in November

• Marie Curie (November 7, 1867) – Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two different sciences (Physics and Chemistry). She discovered polonium and radium, conducted pioneering research on radioactivity, and inspired generations of women in science.

• Carl Sagan (November 9, 1934) – Astronomer, author, and popularizer of science, Sagan helped the public understand the cosmos through books and the iconic series Cosmos. He advocated for space exploration and our place in the universe, blending science with wonder.

December – Scientists Born in December

• Niels Bohr (December 7, 1885) – Bohr developed the Bohr model of the atom, explaining how electrons orbit nuclei and emit light. His contributions to quantum mechanics and atomic theory were fundamental to modern physics.

• Ada Lovelace (December 10, 1815) – Lovelace is considered the first computer programmer. Working with Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, she wrote what is now recognized as the first algorithm intended for a machine, envisioning a future of programmable computers.

Science-Themed Birthday Party Ideas 🎉 

After exploring the birthdays of some of history’s greatest scientists and celebrating their legacy, it’s clear that curiosity and discovery are worth honouring — not just with learning, but also with fun! What better way to pay tribute to these brilliant minds than by throwing a science-themed birthday party?

Celebrating a birthday with a science twist is a perfect way to combine fun with curiosity! Whether it’s a kids’ party, a teen gathering, or even a casual adult celebration, these ideas bring learning and excitement together.

Why Celebrate Scientists’ Birthdays?

These birthdays honor the legacy of individuals whose curiosity and discoveries transformed our understanding of the world. Celebrating their birthdays isn’t just about history — it’s a reminder that the spirit of inquiry can inspire new discoveries every day. From experimenting in a lab to challenging old theories, these scientists motivate us to keep exploring, asking questions, and imagining the impossible.