Leading Figures in History

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

24415 persons found

James Franck

German–American atomic physicist (1882–1964)

James Franco

b. 1978

American actor and filmmaker (born 1978)

James Fulton (dermatologist)

American dermatologist

James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier

Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator (1756–1833)

James Gammon

b. 1940

American actor (1940–2010)

James Gandolfini

American actor (1961–2013)

James Gates Percival

American poet

James George Frazer

Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist (1854–1941)

James Goldman

b. 1927

American playwright and screenwriter (1937–1998)

James Gordon Bennett Jr.

b. 1841

American publisher (1841–1918)

James Gordon Bennett Sr.

Scottish-born American businessman (1795–1872)

James Gosling

b. 1955

Canadian computer scientist (born 1955)

James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose

Scottish nobleman and soldier (1612–1650)

James Gurney

b. 1958

American illustrator and novelist

James H. Billington

b. 1929

American author (1929–2018)

James H. Kindelberger

b. 1895

American businessman (1895–1962)

James H. Pomerene

b. 1920

American computer scientist

James Hahn

b. 1950

American lawyer and politician

James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Hamilton

b. 1606

Scottish nobleman and military leader (1606–1649)

James Harcourt

b. 1873

English actor (1873–1951)

James Hargreaves

English inventor of the Spinning Jenny

James Harrison (American football)

b. 1978

American football player (born 1978)

James Heckman

b. 1944

American economist (born 1944)

James Holshouser

American politician (1934–2013)