Leading Figures in History

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

24411 persons found

Jean Craighead George

b. 1919

American writer (1919–2012)

Jean Cras

b. 1879

French composer and naval officer (1879–1932)

Jean Crotti

b. 1878

French painter

Jean d'Ormesson

b. 1925

French novelist, writer and public figure (1925–2017)

Jean Daniélou

b. 1905

French Jesuit theologian and cardinal (1905–1974)

Jean Danjou

French Foreign Legion officer (1828–1863)

Jean Dausset

French immunologist (1916–2009)

Jean de La Fontaine

b. 1621

French fabulist and poet (1621–1695)

Jean de Thévenot

b. 1633

French traveller in the East, linguist and botanist (1633–1667)

Jean Delannoy

French actor and film director (1908–2008)

Jean Deslauriers

Canadian conductor, violinist, and composer

Jean Dieudonné

b. 1906

French mathematician (1906–1992)

Jean Dubuffet

French painter and sculptor (1901–1985)

Jean Dujardin

b. 1972

French actor (born 1972)

Jean Étienne Valluy

b. 1899

French general

Jean Fernel

16th-century French physician

Jean Françaix

b. 1912

French composer (1912–1997)

Jean Frydman

b. 1925

French politician and businessman (1925–2021)

Jean Galfione

b. 1971

French pole vaulter and sailor

Jean Garon

Canadian politician (1938–2014)

Jean Gebser

Swiss philosopher, linguist, and poet

Jean Geissinger

b. 1934

Baseball player

Jean Giraud

b. 1938

French comics author (1938–2012)

Jean Guillou

b. 1930

French composer, organist, and pianist (1930–2019)