Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

Walther Funk

German economist and politician (1890–1960)

Walther Gerlach

b. 1889

German physicist (1889–1979)

Walther Nernst

b. 1864

German physical chemist (1864–1941)

Walther Rathenau

German businessman and politician (1867–1922)

Wan Li

Chinese Communist Party leader (1916–2015)

Wanda Gág

American artist and children's writer (1893–1946)

Wanda Janicka

b. 1923

Polish architect (1923–2023)

Wanda Landowska

b. 1879

Polish harpsichordist and pianist (1879–1959)

Wanderléa

b. 1946

Brazilian singer (born 1944)

Wanderlei Silva

b. 1976

Brazilian mixed martial artist (born 1976)

Wandy Peralta

b. 1991

Dominican baseball player (born 1991)

Wang Anshi

Chinese Song dynasty politician (1021–1086)

Wang Chongrong

Warlord in the later years of Chinese Tang dynasty

Wang Chuqin

b. 2000

Chinese table tennis player

Wang Dongxing

Chinese general and politician (1916–2015)

Wang Hao (chess player)

b. 1989

Chinese chess grandmaster (born 1989)

Wang Hao (race walker)

b. 1989

Chinese racewalker

Wang Hongwen

Chinese politician and activist (1935–1992)

Wang Jianli

Wang Jingwei

b. 1883

Chinese politician (1883–1944)

Wang Jipeng

Emperor of Min from 935 to 939

Wang Leehom

b. 1976

American singer, songwriter, actor

Wang Liqin

b. 1978

Chinese table tennis player (born 1978)

Wang Pu (Tang dynasty)