Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

John Dewey

American philosopher, psychologist, and activist (1859–1952)

John DeWitt (athlete)

American athlete (1881–1930)

John Dexter

b. 1925

English stage director (1925–1990)

John Dickinson

b. 1732

Founding Father of the United States (1732–1808)

John Diefenbaker

Prime Minister of Canada from 1957 to 1963

John Dillinger

b. 1903

American bank robber (1903–1934)

John Dillon

b. 1851

Irish politician; the last leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party (1851–1927)

John DiMaggio

b. 1968

American actor (born 1968)

John Dingell

b. 1926

American politician (1926–2019)

John Dingell Sr.

American politician (1894–1955)

John Dixon (cartoonist)

Australian comic book artist and writer (1929–2015)

John Doar

American lawyer (1921–2014)

John Dobson (amateur astronomer)

b. 1915

American amateur astronomer

John Doherty (English footballer)

English footballer and manager

John Dollond

b. 1706

English optician (1706–1761)

John Dolmayan

b. 1972

American drummer (born 1972)

John Donaldson, Baron Donaldson of Lymington

b. 1920

British judge (1920–2005)

John Dorahy

b. 1954

Australian RL coach and former rugby league footballer

John Dos Passos

American novelist (1896–1970)

John Douglas (bishop of Salisbury)

Scottish scholar and Anglican bishop (1721–1807)

John Douglas (Queensland politician)

Australian politician (1828–1904)

John Downer

b. 1843

Australian politician

John Drew (basketball)

b. 1954

American basketball player (1954–2022)

John Drew Barrymore

b. 1932

American actor (1932–2004)