1. Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) 

Greek philosopher and polymath 

“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” ― Aristotle 

The Greek philosopher and polymath, Aristotle is often considered the “Father of Western Philosophy.” He was a left-handed genius and an intellectual figure of Classical antiquity who laid the foundations for numerous fields including logic, metaphysics, ethics and political science. His left-handedness is often highlighted as a part of his unique approach to his extensive body of work. 

2. Nikola Tesla (1856 – 1943) 

American engineer and futurist 

“Of all things, I liked books best.” ― Nikola Tesla 

Nikola Tesla was a visionary Serbian American inventor, engineer and futurist known for his groundbreaking work in electricity and magnetism. His inventions in alternating current electricity that provides power for homes and buildings have transformed the modern world. This left-handed historical figure was granted 125 patents, 119 in the U.S. and 7 in the U.K. Some of his famous inventions still used around the world are the Tesla coil (an electrical resonant transformer circuit), shadowgraph (x-rays), radio and neon lamp. 

3. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) 

Composer 

“The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” ― Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most influential composers of the classical era. Born in Austria, he is renowned for his intricate melodies and harmonies. Unlike many other composers of his time, Mozart wrote for all musical forms, such as symphonies, piano concertos and operas and excelled in every one of them. The left-handed maestro continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his famous works, including the Magic Flute, the Marriage of Figaro, Requiem in D Minor, etc. 

4. Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890) 

Dutch painter 

“I dream my painting and I paint my dream.” ― Vincent Willem van Gogh 

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter celebrated for his expressive brushstrokes and vibrant colours. His left-handedness is often noted as a part of his distinctive artistic style. He is among the most famous and influential artists in the history of Western art. He created over 2100 artworks, which included 860 oil paintings and 1,100 drawings as well as sketches. Some of his most famous are Starry Night (1889), Sunflowers (1889), Irises (1889) and Wheatfield with Crows (1890). 

5. Barak Obama (1961 – present) 

44th U.S. President 

“We are the change we have been waiting for.” ― Barack Obama 

Barak Obama served as the 44th President of the United States from 2007 to 2017. He was the first African American to hold the office twice. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 for his remarkable leadership during his term. He banned excessive interrogation techniques, added 13.7 million new jobs over a 69-month streak of job growth, championed a climate change agenda and legalised same-sex marriage. Obama is a charismatic leader whose left-handed prowess extended beyond politics, influencing global diplomacy and social change. 

6. David Cameron (1966 – present) 

Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom 

“When people's love is divided by law, it is the law that needs to change.” ― David Cameron  

David Cameron is a British politician. He served as the Prime Minister of the UK from 2010 to 2016. The Rt Hon Lord Cameron led Britain’s first coalition government in nearly 70 years. This left-handed man was the youngest Prime Minister that the UK had seen since Lord Liverpool in 1812. Cameron consistently voiced his concerns to raise awareness about environmental issues. During his term, he created the world’s first Green Investment Bank. He was also appointed the President of Alzheimer’s Research UK from 2017 to 2023. 

7. Oprah Winfrey (1954 – present) 

American host and television producer 

“You can have it all. Just not all at once.” ― Oprah Winfrey 

Oprah Winfrey, famously known as just Oprah, is a talk show host, actress, television producer, author and philanthropist. Her influential talk show “The Oprah Winfrey Show” began in 1986 and connected with millions, inspiring and empowering audiences worldwide. Her left-handed touch transformed television into a platform for social change. The show wrapped up its production after 25 seasons in 2011, but not before she hosted many notable figures, including Michael Jackson, Sarah Ferguson (Duchess of York), Barack and Michelle Obama, Mike Tyson and Donald Trump. 

8. Angelina Jolie (1975 – present) 

American actress and filmmaker 

“When other little girls wanted to be ballet dancers, I kind of wanted to be a vampire.” ― Angelina Jolie 

Angelina Jolie is an American actress and filmmaker. Her successful career in Hollywood and her humanitarian efforts have made her a prominent figure in the public eye. She has won an Academy Award, a Tony Award and three Golden Globe Awards for her work. Her left-handed creativity and philanthropic work shine through her more than 49 films, participation in more than 40 United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) field missions and her fight against sexual violence. 

9. Bill Russell (1934 – 2022) 

American basketball centre 

“The only important statistic is the final score.” ― Bill Russell 

Bill Russell was a legendary basketball player and coach. His talent on the court earned him an Olympic gold medal in 1956 and 11 NBA championships in the 13 seasons he played with the Boston Celtics. This left-handed basketball icon was also the first African American coach of a modern major professional sports team in the U.S. Throughout his career, Russell was a civil rights champion and spoke out against the Vietnam War. He is known for his exceptional defensive and leadership skills. 

10. Rafael Nadal (1986 – present) 

Spanish tennis player 

“However great your dedication, you never win anything on your own” ― Rafael Nadal 

Though relatively young compared to other famous left-handers mentioned, Rafael Nadal is a Spanish tennis champion, often hailed as the “King of Clay.” He is renowned for his powerful left-handed forehand and unwavering determination. His athleticism and competitive spirit have captivated fans worldwide. His left-handed playing style has given him a competitive edge, resulting in 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including 14 French Open titles, 92 ATP-level singles titles, 36 Masters titles and an Olympic gold medal, with 63 of these victories on clay courts. 

International Lefthander's Day is a day to celebrate and honour the incredible contributions of left-handed individuals. You can learn from their unique perspectives and innovative approaches to inspire and shape the world. Celebrate the achievements of left-handers and explore new opportunities by enhancing your language proficiency with English Path.