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Famous People in History - O

This category of our A to Z of famous people in history is for famous people with surnames beginning with the letter ''O''.

O'Casey, Sean (1880-1964)

Sean O'Casey was an Irish playwright. He wrote a number of plays including 'Juno and the Paycock', 'The Plough and the Stars' and 'Cock-a-Doodle Dandy'.

O'Neill, Eugene (1888-1953)

Eugene O'Neill was an American playwright. He wrote 'Emperor Jones, 'Mourning Becomes Electra' and 'Long Day's Journey into Night'.

Oersted, Hans Christian (1777-1851)

Hans Christian Oersted was the Danish physicist who first showed the connection between electricity and magnetism.

Offenbach, Jacques (1819-1880)

Jacques Offenbach was a German-born French composer. He composed more than 90 popular light operas including 'Orpheus in the Underworld' and 'La Belle Helene', and one serious opera, 'Tales of Hoffman'.

Olivier, Sir Laurence Kerr (1907-1989)

Sir Laurence Kerr Olivier (Lord Olivier of Brighton) was a famous English actor, director, and theatre manager. As well as his many theatre appearances, he directed and starred in a number of films including Henry V, Hamlet and Richard III.

Orff, Carl (1895-1982)

Carl Orff was a German composer. His best-known work is 'Carmina Burana'.

Ortega y Gasset, José (1883-1955)

José Ortega y Gasset was a Spanish philosopher. He suggested that democracy in the modem era could easily lead to tyrannies of either the left or right.

Orwell, George (1903-1950)

George Orwell (real name Eric Arthur Blair) was an English writer. Two of his most famous books are "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four".

Osborne, John (1929-1994)

John Osborne was a British playwright, actor, and producer. His plays include 'Look Back in Anger' and 'The Entertainer'.

Owen, Robert (1771-1858)

Robert Owen was a Welsh social reformer. He established in textile mills at New Lanark, Scotland, a model co-operative industrial community with ideal housing and working conditions.