Leading Figures in History

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

62243 persons found

Cecil Howard Green

b. 1900

British-born American geophysicist, engineer and electronics executive

Cecil Kellaway

b. 1890

South African actor (1890–1973)

Cecil Lolo

South African soccer player

Cecil Parkinson

b. 1931

British politician (1931–2016)

Cecil Rhodes

b. 1853

British mining magnate and politician (1853–1902)

Cecil Womack

b. 1947

American singer-songwriter (1947–2013)

Cécile Aubry

French actress, television director, writer and screenwriter

Cécile Chabot

Canadian poet and illustrator (1907–1990)

Cécile Chaminade

b. 1857

French composer and pianist (1857–1944)

Cécile de Brunhoff

b. 1903

French storyteller

Cecile Richards

b. 1957

American activist (1957–2025)

Cecilia Bartoli

b. 1966

Italian opera singer (born 1966)

Cecilia Beaux

b. 1855

American painter (1855–1942)

Cecilia Malmström

b. 1968

Swedish politician (born 1968)

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

b. 1900

British and American astronomer (1900–1979)

Cecilia Renata of Austria

b. 1611

Queen of Poland from 1637 to 1644

Cecilia Roth

b. 1956

Argentine actress (born 1956)

Cecilia Seghizzi

b. 1908

Italian painter and composer (1908–2019)

Cecilie Myrseth

b. 1984

Norwegian politician (born 1984)

Cecilie Pedersen (Norwegian footballer)

b. 1990

Norwegian footballer (born 1990)

Cecilie Thoresen Krog

Norwegian women's rights pioneer (1858–1911)

Cecily Bonville, 7th Baroness Harington

English noblewoman and peeress (1460–1529)

Cecily Neville, Duchess of Warwick

English duchess

Cecily Neville, Duchess of York

b. 1415

English noblewoman (1415–1495)