Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

Wouter Hamel

b. 1977

Dutch singer

Wouter Weylandt

Belgian road bicycle racer

Wreckless Eric

b. 1954

English singer-songwriter (born 1954)

Wright brothers

b. 1867

American aviation pioneers, inventors of the airplane

Wright Morris

American photographer and novelist

Wu Chengsi

Prince Xuan of Wei

Wu Hanyue

Wu Peifu

b. 1874

Chinese general and warlord (1874–1939)

Wu Yuanheng

Tang dynasty Chinese official (758–815)

Wu Zhengyi

b. 1916

Chinese botanist (1916–2013)

Wubbo de Boer

b. 1948

Dutch civil servant (1948 – 2017)

Wubbo Ockels

Dutch astronaut (1946–2014)

Wude Ayalew

b. 1987

Ethiopian long-distance runner

Wulfstan (died 1023)

Archbishop of York from 1002 to 1023

Wyatt Oleff

b. 2003

American actor (born 2003)

Wyatt Roy

b. 1990

Australian politician (born 1990)

Wyatt Tee Walker

b. 1928

American civil rights activist and pastor (1928–2018)

Wyndham Halswelle

b. 1882

British athlete and soldier (1882–1915)

Wynonie Harris

b. 1915

American blues singer (1915–1969)

Wynonna Judd

b. 1964

American country singer (born 1964)

Wyomia Tyus

b. 1945

American sprinter

X. J. Kennedy

b. 1929

American poet (1929–2026)

Xanana Gusmão

b. 1946

Prime Minister of Timor-Leste (2007–2015; since 2023)

Xavi Simons

b. 2003

Dutch footballer (born 2003)