Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

Joseph Henry

American physicist and inventor (1797–1878)

Joseph Henry Shorthouse

b. 1834

English novelist (1834–1903)

Joseph Hergenröther

German Church historian and canonist (1824–1890)

Joseph Hooker

American Union Army general (1814–1879)

Joseph Hormayr, Baron zu Hortenburg

Politician from Austria (1781–1848)

Joseph Howard (prime minister)

Prime Minister of Malta (1862–1925)

Joseph Howe

Canadian politician (1804–1873)

Joseph Hubert Priestley

British botanist (1883–1944)

Joseph I of Portugal

b. 1714

King of Portugal from 1750 to 1777

Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor

Holy Roman Emperor from 1705 to 1711

Joseph James Cheeseman

President of Liberia (1843-1896)

Joseph James DeAngelo

b. 1945

American serial rapist and serial killer (born 1945)

Joseph James Fletcher

Australian biologist

Joseph Joachim

b. 1831

Hungarian violinist, composer, and teacher (1831–1907)

Joseph John Gerry

b. 1928

American Benedictine monk and prelate (1928–2023)

Joseph Joubert

French essayist

Joseph Justus Scaliger

b. 1540

French historian (1540–1609)

Joseph K. Mansfield

United States Army officer (1803–1862)

Joseph Kabila

b. 1971

President of the DR Congo from 2001 to 2019

Joseph Kessel

French writer (1898–1979)

Joseph Ki-Zerbo

b. 1922

Burkinabé historian, politician and writer

Joseph Kittinger

b. 1928

American military pilot (1928–2022)

Joseph Kosma

Hungarian-French composer (1905–1969)