Leading Figures in History

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

21513 persons found

Louis Coatalen

Louis Couperus

b. 1863

Dutch novelist and poet (1863 – 1923)

Louis Daquin

b. 1908

French film director

Louis de Buade de Frontenac

b. 1622

French soldier and governor (1622–1698)

Louis de Montfort

French religious priest and saint

Louis de Noailles, 4th Duke of Noailles

b. 1713

French peer and Marshal of France (1713–1793)

Louis Desaix

French general (1768–1800)

Louis Durey

b. 1888

French composer (1888–1979)

Louis Faidherbe

b. 1818

French general and colonial administrator (1818–1889)

Louis Farrakhan

b. 1933

American religious leader (born 1933)

Louis Feuillée

French explorer, astronomer, geographer and botanist

Louis Franchet d'Espèrey

b. 1856

French general during World War I (1856–1942)

Louis Garrel

b. 1983

French film actor, director, and screenwriter

Louis George, Margrave of Baden-Baden

b. 1702

German nobleman (1702–1761)

Louis Gossett Jr.

b. 1936

American actor (1936–2024)

Louis H. Schiff

b. 1955

American judge and academic

Louis Hachette

b. 1800

French magazine publisher (1800–1864)

Louis Hennepin

b. 1626

Belgian explorer and missionary

Louis Henry, Prince of Nassau-Dillenburg

b. 1594

Louis Hjelmslev

Danish linguist (1899–1965)

Louis Hofmann

b. 1997

German actor (born 1997)

Louis I of Naples

King of Naples from 1348 to 1362

Louis I, Prince of Condé

b. 1530

1st Prince of Condé (1530–1569)

Louis Ignarro

b. 1941

American pharmacologist