Hélène Smith

Hélène Smith was a famous late-19th century French medium. She was known as "the Muse of Automatic Writing" by the Surrealists, who viewed Smith as evidence of the power of the surreal, and a symbol of surrealist knowledge. Late in life, Smith claimed to communicate with Martians, and to be a reincarnation of a Hindu princess and Marie Antoinette.

9 December 1861

Born on the same birth day (9 December): Ashleigh Brewer • David Nathan (journalist) • Dolores Ibárruri • Fabio Artico • Hikaru Nakamura • Joe Lando • Jolene Purdy • Kenny Vance • Kirsten Gillibrand • Laura Salverson • Reiko Aylesworth • Ryder Hesjedal • Steve Taylor • Sylvia (singer) • William Whiston

Born in the same month (December 1861): Antonio de La Gándara • Aristide Maillol • Edgar P. Rucker • Ferdinand Bonn • Francis Buzzacott • Georges Méliès • Henri Mathias Berthelot • Italo Svevo • Ivana Kobilca • Lionel Monckton • Madan Mohan Malaviya • William C. Durant