26 November

Across recorded history, 1,582 notable lives are recorded as having ended on 26 November. Below are the 24 most widely documented — ranked by how many language editions of Wikipedia carry an article about them.

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Adam Mickiewicz

1798–1855

Polish national poet, dramatist, essayist, publicist, translator, and political activist

Adam Mickiewicz was a Polish poet who wrote dramas, essays, and political works.

Stephen Hillenburg

1961–2018

American marine science educator and artist

Stephen Hillenburg was a marine science educator and animator who created the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants.

Sojourner Truth

1797–1883

African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist

Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and women's rights activist who campaigned for the end of slavery and the expansion of civil rights.

Max Euwe

1901–1981

Dutch chess player and mathematician

Max Euwe was a Dutch chess player and mathematician who served as a world chess champion.

Joseph von Eichendorff

1788–1857

German poet and novelist

Joseph von Eichendorff was a German poet and novelist known for his contributions to Romantic literature.

Sven Hedin

1865–1952

Swedish geographer, topographer, explorer, photographer, travel writer and illustrator

Sven Hedin was a Swedish explorer who conducted extensive scientific expeditions throughout Central Asia.

Joseph Murray

1919–2012

US surgeon

Surgeon Joseph Murray performed the first successful human organ transplant.

Paul Lafargue

1842–1911

writer, journalist, literary critic and revolutionary; also known for being Karl Marx's son-in-law

Paul Lafargue was a writer and revolutionary who was also the son-in-law of Karl Marx.

John Browning

1855–1926

firearms designer of the United States

John Browning was a firearms designer who developed numerous automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

Jean-de-Dieu Soult

1769–1851

Prime Minister of France (1832–1834, 1834–1839, 1840–1847) and French Marshal (born 1769–1851)

Jean-de-Dieu Soult (1769–1851), Prime Minister of France (1832–1834, 1834–1839, 1840–1847) and French Marshal (born 1769–1851).

Arnold Zweig

1887–1968

German writer

Arnold Zweig was a German writer known for his novels and peace activism.

Stephen Sondheim

1930–2021

American composer and lyricist

Stephen Sondheim was an American composer and lyricist known for his contributions to musical theater.

Sergei Gerasimov

1906–1985

Soviet film director, screenwriter, actor

Sergei Gerasimov was a Soviet film director who worked as a screenwriter, actor, and teacher.

Florence Foster Jenkins

1868–1944

American soprano, renowned for her lack of musical skill and singing ability

Florence Foster Jenkins was an American soprano known for her lack of musical skill and singing ability.

Reinhard Scheer

1863–1928

German admiral

Reinhard Scheer was a German admiral who commanded the High Seas Fleet during the Battle of Jutland.

Philippe de Broca

1933–2004

French film director

Philippe de Broca was a French film director known for his work in cinema.

Köbi Kuhn

1943–2019

Swiss association football player and manager

Köbi Kuhn was a Swiss association football player and national team manager.

Tommy Dorsey

1905–1956

American big band leader and musician

Tommy Dorsey was an American bandleader and musician who led a prominent big band during the swing era.

Rachel Roberts

1927–1980

British actress

Rachel Roberts was a British actress who performed in both film and stage productions.

Siegfried Kracauer

1889–1966

German writer, journalist, sociologist, cultural critic, and film theorist

Siegfried Kracauer was a film theorist who analyzed the relationship between cinema and society.

John Loudon McAdam

1756–1836

Scottish engineer and road-builder

John Loudon McAdam was a civil engineer who developed a road construction process known as macadamization.

Ahmed Abdallah

1919–1978

President of the Comoros from 1978 to 1989

Ahmed Abdallah was a politician who served as the President of the Comoros.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

1933–2011

nigerian politician and military leader

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was a Nigerian military leader and politician.

Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu

1750–1801

French geologist, volcanologist and mineralogist

Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu was a French geologist who conducted extensive research on the composition of volcanic rocks and minerals.

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.