Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

William IV, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

b. 1532

16th-century German landowner and astronomer

William IX, Count of Poitiers

b. 1153

English prince (1153–1156)

William J. Bell (producer)

American screenwriter (1927–2005)

William J. Brennan Jr.

b. 1906

U.S. Supreme Court justice from 1956 to 1990

William J. Casey

Director of Central Intelligence from 1981 to 1987

William J. Guste

American attorney and politician

William Jackson Hooker

b. 1785

English botanist (1785–1865)

William James

American philosopher and psychologist (1842–1910)

William James (Australian general)

b. 1930

Soldier and military doctor (1930–2015)

William James Mayo

b. 1861

American surgeon (1861–1939)

William James Sidis

American mathematician, polyglot, and child prodigy (1898–1944)

William Jay Smith

b. 1918

American writer, translator, editor

William Jennings Bryan

American politician (1860–1925)

William Jervois

British Army general

William Jonas

English footballer (1890–1916)

William Jones (mathematician)

Welsh mathematician (1675–1749)

William Joseph Behr

German publicist and writer (1775–1851)

William Joseph Browne

b. 1897

Canadian politician (1897–1989)

William Joyce

b. 1906

American-born fascist and propaganda broadcaster (1906–1946)

William Judson Holloway Jr.

American judge

William Juxon

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1660 to 1663

William Kaye Estes

b. 1919

American psychologist (1919–2011)

William Kennedy Dickson

b. 1860

British-American inventor (1860–1935)

William Kidd

Scottish privateer (1654–1701)