Leading Figures in History

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

39104 persons found

Rowan Williams

b. 1950

Archbishop of Canterbury from 2003 to 2012

Rowland Evans

b. 1921

American journalist

Rowley Leigh

b. 1950

British chef, restaurateur and journalist

Roxana Saberi

b. 1977

American journalist (born 1977)

Roxanna Panufnik

b. 1968

British composer of Polish heritage (born 1968)

Roxanne Hart

b. 1952

American actress (born 1952)

Roxie Roker

b. 1929

American actress (1929–1995)

Roy Agnew

b. 1891

Australian composer

Roy Benavidez

b. 1935

US Army Special Forces member and Army sergeant

Roy Bentley

b. 1924

English footballer and manager (1924–2018)

Roy Bittan

b. 1949

American keyboardist, member of the E Street Band (born 1949)

Roy Buchanan

American blues musician (1939–1988)

Roy Bull

b. 1929

Australian RL coach and former Australia international rugby league footballer

Roy Campanella

American baseball player (1921–1993)

Roy Carrier

Musical artist

Roy Castleton

b. 1885

American baseball player (1885–1967)

Roy Clay

b. 1929

American computer scientist (1929–2024)

Roy Cohn

American lawyer and prosecutor (1927–1986)

Roy Cooper

b. 1957

Governor of North Carolina from 2017 to 2025

Roy Crimmins

b. 1929

Musical artist

Roy Del Ruth

American filmmaker (1893–1961)

Roy Dotrice

b. 1923

British actor (1923–2017)

Roy Gardner (businessman)

b. 1945

British businessman

Roy Gilchrist

b. 1934

Jamaican cricketer