Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

John Laws

b. 1935

Australian radio presenter (1935–2025)

John le Carré

b. 1931

Irish-British novelist and former spy (1931–2020)

John Le Lievre

b. 1956

English squash player (1956–2021)

John Le Mesurier

English actor (1912–1983)

John Leake

b. 1656

Royal Navy officer and politician (1656–1720)

John LeClair

b. 1969

American ice hockey player (born 1969)

John Lee (placekicker)

b. 1964

American football player (born 1964)

John Lee Hooker

American blues musician (1912 or 1917–2001)

John Leguizamo

b. 1960

American comedian and actor (born 1960)

John Lehmann

b. 1907

English publisher (1907–1987)

John Leland (antiquary)

English Tudor poet and antiquary

John Lennon

b. 1940

English musician and activist (1940–1980)

John Leo

American writer and journalist (1935–2022)

John Lesley

b. 1527

Scottish Catholic bishop (1527–1596)

John Lester

b. 1871

American cricketer

John Levén

b. 1963

Swedish bassist

John Leverett

b. 1616

Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony and Nova Scotia (1616-1679)

John Leverett the Younger

Anglo-American lawyer and president of Harvard College

John Lewis

American politician and civil rights leader (1940–2020)

John Lewis (pianist)

b. 1920

American jazz pianist, composer and arranger (1920–2001)

John Light Atlee

American physician and surgeon

John Lilburne

17th-century English political activist

John Limniatis

b. 1967

Former soccer player (born 1967)

John Linnell

b. 1959

American musician (born 1959)