Leading Figures in History

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

21510 persons found

Melissa Mathison

b. 1950

American screenwriter (1950–2015)

Melissa McBride

b. 1965

American actress

Melissa Rauch

b. 1980

American actress (born 1980)

Melita Norwood

British civil servant and Soviet spy (1912–2005)

Mellitus

Archbishop of Canterbury from 619 to 624, Christian saint

Melora Hardin

b. 1967

American actress (born 1967)

Melvin Burgess

b. 1954

British writer of children's fiction (born 1954)

Melvin Ingram

b. 1989

American football player (born 1989)

Melvin Storer

b. 1921

U.S. Navy shipfitter (1921–2003)

Memphis Bleek

b. 1978

American rapper (born 1978)

Memphis Minnie

b. 1897

American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter (1897–1973)

Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Seventh Chabad Rebbe (1902–1994)

Menahem Golan

b. 1929

Israeli film director and producer (1929–2014)

Meng Hanqiong

Meng Zhixiang

b. 874

Emperor of Later Shu in 934

Menina Izildinha

b. 1897

Unofficial popular child saint

Menno Oosting

b. 1964

Dutch tennis player (1964–1999)

Menno ter Braak

Dutch writer (1902–1940)

Menzies Campbell

b. 1941

British politician (1941–2025)

Merata Mita

New Zealand filmmaker (1942–2010)

Merce Cunningham

b. 1919

American dancer and choreographer (1919–2009)

Mercedes de Acosta

American poet, playwright, and novelist (1892–1968)

Mercedes Lackey

b. 1950

American writer of fantasy novels (born 1950)

Mercedes of Orléans

Queen of Spain in 1878