Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

John Kassir

b. 1957

American actor and comedian (b. 1957)

John Kay (flying shuttle)

b. 1704

British inventor

John Keats

b. 1795

English Romantic poet (1795–1821)

John Keegan

English military historian (1934–2012)

John Keel

American journalist and UFOlogist (1930–2009)

John Kendrew

English biochemist & crystallographer (1917–1997)

John Kenneth Galbraith

Canadian-American economist and diplomat (1908–2006)

John Ker

b. 1673

Scottish spy during the Jacobite risings (1673–1726)

John Kerr (governor-general)

b. 1914

Governor-General of Australia from 1974 to 1977

John Kessel

b. 1950

American author (born 1950)

John Key

b. 1961

Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016

John Keyse Sherwin

English painter

John Kinder Labatt

Canadian businessman (1803–1866)

John King, Baron King of Wartnaby

British economist (1917–2005)

John Kingman

b. 1939

British mathematician (born 1939)

John Kirk Townsend

b. 1809

U.S. ornithologist (1809-1851)

John Kline (basketball)

American basketball player (1931–2018)

John Kluge

German and American entrepreneur (1914–2010)

John Kneubuhl

b. 1920

American screenwriter (1920–1992)

John Knowles

b. 1926

American novelist

John Knowles Paine

American composer (1839–1906)

John Komnenos (Domestic of the Schools)

Byzantine military leader (c. 1015–1067)

John Komnenos Vatatzes

12th-century Byzantine general

John Konrads

b. 1942

Australian swimmer (1942–2021)