Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

William Penn (Royal Navy officer)

b. 1621

English naval officer and politician (1621–1670)

William Penney, Baron Penney

b. 1909

English mathematician and physicist (1909–1991)

William Pennington

b. 1796

American politician (1796–1862)

William Pepperrell

b. 1696

American merchant, politician and military officer (1696–1759)

William Pereira

b. 1909

American architect (1909–1985)

William Petty

b. 1623

English economist and philosopher (1623–1687)

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne

b. 1737

Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1782 to 1783

William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie

b. 1847

British shipbuilder and businessman (1847–1924)

William Pitt the Younger

b. 1759

British statesman (1759–1806)

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768

William Poole

b. 1821

American boxer and gang leader (1821-1855)

William Powell

b. 1892

American actor (1892–1984)

William Primrose

Scottish violist and teacher (1904–1982)

William Propsting

b. 1861

Australian politician

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath

English politician and peer (1684–1764)

William Quantrill

Confederate guerrilla leader (1837–1865)

William R. Day

b. 1849

US Supreme Court justice from 1903 to 1922

William R. Roy

American politician

William Ramsay

British chemist (1852–1916)

William Randolph Hearst

b. 1863

American newspaper publisher (1863–1951)

William Randolph Hearst Jr.

American newspaper publisher (1908–1993)

William Raspberry

American journalist (1935–2012)

William Rees-Mogg

b. 1928

British journalist (1928–2012)

William Refshauge

Australian general and public health administrator (1913 - 2009)