Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

Willem Hendrik Keesom

b. 1876

Dutch physicist (1876–1956)

Willem Jacob van Stockum

Dutch mathematician (1910–1944)

Willem Janssen (footballer, born 1986)

b. 1986

Dutch footballer

Willem Kalf

Dutch still-life painter (1619–1693)

Willem van der Zaan

b. 1621

Dutch Admiral (1621–1669)

Willem van Otterloo

Dutch conductor and composer

Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

b. 1967

King of the Netherlands since 2013

Willi Boskovsky

Austrian violinist and conductor

Willi Hennig

b. 1913

German biologist and zoologist (1913–1976)

Willi Stoph

b. 1914

German politician (1914–1999)

William A. Fraker

American film director, producer and cinematographer

William A. MacCorkle

b. 1857

American politician (1857–1930)

William A. Mitchell

American food chemist

William A. Rusher

b. 1923

American attorney and journalist (1923–2011)

William Adams (samurai)

English sailor and samurai (1564–1620)

William Alden Smith

b. 1859

American politician

William Alfred Fowler

b. 1911

American nuclear physicist (1911–1995)

William Anders

American astronaut and lunar explorer (1933–2024)

William Andrew (priest)

Anglican priest

William Archibald Spooner

b. 1844

Oxford don (1844–1930)

William Arms Fisher

b. 1861

American historian, music editor, and writer on music (1861–1948)

William Armstrong (Virginia politician)

American lawyer, civil servant, politician, and businessperson

William Arnold (settler)

b. 1587

Founding settler of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

William Arnon Henry

b. 1850

American professor (1850–1932)