Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

João Braz de Aviz

b. 1947

Brazilian Catholic cardinal (born 1947)

João Cancelo

b. 1994

Portuguese footballer (born 1994)

João Cândido

b. 1880

Brazilian sailor and revolt leader (1880–1969)

João Carlos de Oliveira

b. 1954

Brazilian athlete

João da Nova

Portuguese-Galician explorer (1460–1509)

João de Barros

Portuguese historian (1496 – 1570)

João de Castro

Portuguese explorer (1500–1548)

João Dias (politician)

b. 1973

Portuguese politician (born 1973)

João Donato

b. 1934

Brazilian jazz and bossa nova pianist (1934–2023)

João Félix

b. 1999

Portuguese footballer (born 1999)

João Ferreira Sardo

b. 1873

Portuguese presbyter who founded the parish of Gafanha da Nazaré (1873–1925)

João Garcia

b. 1967

Portuguese mountaineer

João Gilberto

b. 1931

Brazilian musician, pioneer of bossa nova (1931–2019)

João Gomes (singer)

b. 2002

Musical artist

João Guimarães Rosa

b. 1908

Brazilian novelist, short story writer, and diplomat (1908–1967)

João Havelange

b. 1916

Brazilian businessman, athlete and football administrator (1916–2016)

João Lucas (footballer, born 1979)

Portuguese footballer

João Manuel, Prince of Portugal

b. 1537

Prince of Portugal (1537–1554)

João Maurício Vanderlei, Baron of Cotegipe

b. 1815

Brazilian magistrate and politician (1815-1889)

João Moutinho

b. 1986

Portuguese footballer (born 1986)

João Pinto

b. 1971

Portuguese footballer (born 1971)

João Saldanha

b. 1917

Brazilian journalist and football manager (1917–1990)

João Simões Lopes Neto

Brazilian writer

João Ubaldo Ribeiro

Brazilian writer, journalist, screenwriter and professor (1941–2014