Born on May 2
4 figures in our catalog were born on May 2, from the earliest to the most recent.
Plato
428 av. J.-C. — 348 av. J.-C.
Ancient Greek philosopher (428–348 BC), founder of the Academy in Athens. A student of Socrates, he developed the Theory of Forms, arguing that the visible world is merely a shadow of an intelligible reality. His influence on Western thought is foundational.
Louis IX (Saint Louis)
1214 — 1270
King of France from 1226 to 1270, Louis IX is renowned for his piety, his commitment to the Crusades, and his reform of royal justice. Canonized in 1297, he embodies the ideal of the medieval Christian king and strengthened the prestige of the French monarchy.
Catherine II of Russia
1729 — 1796
Catherine II, known as Catherine the Great, was Empress of Russia from 1762 to 1796. Of German origin, she overthrew her husband Peter III and modernized the Russian Empire by drawing on the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers, while strengthening autocratic power.
Satyajit Ray
1921 — 1992
Indian Bengali filmmaker, writer and composer
Only figures whose birth day is known for certain appear here. Dates are given as the sources record them.