Leading Figures in History

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

58072 persons found

Yael Abecassis

b. 1967

Israeli actress and model

Yagyū Mitsuyoshi

Japanese samurai (1607–1650)

Yahoo Serious

b. 1953

Australian actor, director and composer (born 1953)

Yahweh ben Yahweh

Nation of Yahweh Founder (1935–2007)

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

b. 1986

American actor (born 1986)

Yahya Jammeh

b. 1965

President of the Gambia from 1996 to 2017

Yahya Khan

President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971

Yahya Sinwar

Palestinian militant and politician (1962–2024)

Yaime Pérez

b. 1991

Cuban discus thrower (born 1991)

Yainer Díaz

b. 1998

Dominican baseball player (born 1998)

Yakhouba Diawara

b. 1982

French basketball player (born 1982)

Yakir Aharonov

b. 1932

Israeli physicist (born 1932)

Yakiv Holovatsky

b. 1814

Galician historian and literary scholar

Yakkun Sakurazuka

b. 1976

Japanese comedian and voice actor

Yakov Kulnev

Russian military leader

Yakov Rylsky

b. 1928

Russian fencer (1928–1999)

Yakub Memon

b. 1962

Convicted terrorist (1962–2015)

Yakubu Gowon

b. 1934

Military Head of State of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975 (born 1934)

Yamagata Aritomo

b. 1838

Japanese military leader and statesman (1838–1922)

Yamamoto Kansuke (general)

Samurai of the Sengoku period (1501–1561)

Yamini Krishnamurthy

Indian dancer (1940–2024)

Yan Gomes

b. 1987

Brazilian-American baseball player (born 1987)

Yana Kudryavtseva

b. 1997

Russian rhythmic gymnast, World Champion, Olympic silver medalist

Yana Mintoff

b. 1951

Maltese politician and activist (born 1951)