27 December

Across recorded history, 1,688 notable lives are recorded as having ended on 27 December. Below are the 24 most widely documented — ranked by how many language editions of Wikipedia carry an article about them.

← December 26 December 28 →

Benazir Bhutto

1953–2007

11th and 13th prime minister of Pakistan

Benazir Bhutto was a politician who served as the prime minister of Pakistan.

Carrie Fisher

1956–2016

American actress, writer and screenwriter

Carrie Fisher was an American actress and writer known for her work in film and literature.

Gustave Eiffel

1832–1923

French chemical engineer and architect

Gustave Eiffel was a civil engineer who designed the Eiffel Tower.

Isabelle de Charrière

1740–1805

Dutch French-language writer and composer

Isabelle de Charrière was a Dutch writer who composed music and authored novels, essays, and plays in the French language.

Lester B. Pearson

1897–1972

14th Prime Minister of Canada, from 1963 to 1968

Lester B. Pearson was a politician who served as the Prime Minister of Canada.

Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay

1800–1859

British historian and politician

Thomas Babington Macaulay was a British historian and politician who served as a prominent writer and advocate for the abolition of slavery.

Jacques Delors

1925–2023

French economist and politician

Jacques Delors was a French politician who served as the President of the European Commission.

Max Beckmann

1884–1950

German painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor and writer

Max Beckmann was a German painter whose work is associated with the New Objectivity movement.

Charles Lamb

1775–1834

British essayist, poet, antiquarian

Charles Lamb was a British essayist known for his contributions to literature as a poet and writer.

Olivia Hussey

1951–2024

British actress

Olivia Hussey was a British actress known for her performance as Juliet in the film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

Hafizullah Amin

1929–1979

Afghan communist revolutionary, politician and teacher

Hafizullah Amin was an Afghan politician who served as a leader of the communist government.

Julian Tuwim

1894–1953

Polish poet

Julian Tuwim was a Polish poet known for his extensive contributions to literature as a writer and translator.

Takashi Takabayashi

1931–2009

Japanese association football player

Takashi Takabayashi was a Japanese association football player.

Léon Bakst

1866–1924

Russian artist

Léon Bakst was a Russian artist who gained international recognition for his innovative costume and set designs for the Ballets Russes.

Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.

1934–2012

United States Army general

Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. was a United States Army general who commanded coalition forces during the Gulf War.

Hans von Seeckt

1866–1936

German general

Hans von Seeckt was a German general who served as the chief of the army command during the Weimar Republic.

George Roy Hill

1921–2002

American film director

George Roy Hill was an American film director known for his work on major motion pictures.

Francis II of the Two Sicilies

1836–1894

King of the Two Sicilies (1836-1894) and Servant of God

Francis II of the Two Sicilies was the final King of the Two Sicilies.

William G. Morgan

1870–1942

inventor of volleyball

William G. Morgan was an inventor who created the sport of volleyball.

Alan Bates

1934–2003

English actor

Alan Bates was an English actor who performed in film, television, and stage productions.

Jaan Kross

1920–2007

Estonian writer

Jaan Kross was an Estonian writer known for his novels and poetry.

Edward Blyth

1810–1873

English zoologist and pharmacist

Edward Blyth was a zoologist who served as a curator and contributed significantly to the study of ornithology.

Helen Frankenthaler

1928–2011

American painter

Helen Frankenthaler was an American painter known for her contributions to the development of color field painting.

Carl Schlechter

1874–1918

Austro-Hungarian chess player

Carl Schlechter was an Austro-Hungarian chess player who also worked as a chess composer.

Source: Wikidata, released into the public domain under CC0. Snapshot: 2026-07. Names, dates and roles come from Wikidata; summaries are condensed from it. Nothing here is generated to fill a gap.