Leading Figures in History

Discover the people who shaped our world — from rulers and scientists to artists and activists.

18354 persons found

Adye Douglas

b. 1815

Australian politician (1815–1906)

Ælfheah of Canterbury

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1006 to 1012

Ælfthryth, Countess of Flanders

Countess consort of Flanders

Aemilian of Cogolla

Iberic saint

Æthelberht II of East Anglia

8th-century king and saint

Æthelflæd

Ruler of Mercia in England from 911 to 918

Æthelhard

Archbishop of Canterbury from 792 to 805

Æthelred I of Wessex

King of Wessex from 865 to 871

Æthelred the Unready

King of England (978–1013; 1014–1016)

Afa Ah Loo

Samoan fashion designer (1985–2025)

Afeni Shakur

American political activist (1947–2016)

Afonso II of Portugal

b. 1185

King of Portugal from 1211 to 1223

Afonso III of Portugal

b. 1210

King of Portugal from 1248 to 1279

Afonso IV of Portugal

King of Portugal from 1325 to 1357

Afrika Bambaataa

b. 1957

American DJ, rapper and producer (1957–2026)

Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar

Shah of Iran from 1789 to 1797

Agnes Forbes Blackadder

Scottish medical doctor (1875–1964)

Agnes Knochenhauer

b. 1989

Swedish curler (born 1989)

Agnes Moorehead

American actress (1900–1974)

Agnes of Aquitaine, Queen of Aragon and Navarre

Queen of Aragon and Navarre from 1094 to 1097

Agnes of Austria (1281–1364)

Queen consort of Hungary

Agnes of Bohemia, Duchess of Austria

Duchess of Austria (1269–1296)

Agnès Varda

b. 1928

French filmmaker and photographer (1928–2019)

Agostino Di Bartolomei

Italian footballer (1955–1994)