Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

John Watson (racing driver)

b. 1946

British racing driver (born 1946)

John Wayne

b. 1907

American actor (1907–1979)

John Wayne Gacy

American serial killer (1942–1994)

John Webb (architect)

English architect and scholar

John Webster (governor)

b. 1590

Governor of the Colony of Connecticut in 1656

John Weider

b. 1947

British musician (1947–2025)

John Weir Troy

b. 1868

American journalist and politician (1868-1942)

John Welborn

b. 1970

Australia international rugby union player

John Wentworth (Illinois politician)

American newspaper editor and politician (1815–1888)

John Wesley

b. 1703

English clergyman (1703–1791)

John Wesley Hardin

American outlaw (1853–1895)

John Wesley Harding (singer)

b. 1965

Musical artist

John Wetteland

b. 1966

American baseball player (born 1966)

John Wetton

b. 1949

English musician (1949–2017)

John White (footballer, born 1937)

b. 1937

Scottish footballer (1937–1964)

John White (footballer, born 1986)

b. 1986

English footballer, born 1986

John Whiteaker

b. 1820

American politician (1820–1902)

John Whitehead (singer)

b. 1948

American singer-songwriter (1948–2004)

John Whittingdale

b. 1959

British politician (born 1959)

John Wilbur (Quaker minister)

American Quaker minister (1774–1856)

John Wilce

John Wildman

English politician and soldier (died 1693)

John Wilkes

b. 1725

British radical, journalist and politician (1725–1797)

John Wilkes Booth

American stage actor and assassin (1838–1865)