Leading Figures in History

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

21506 persons found

Pommie Mbangwa

b. 1976

Zimbabwean cricketer and commentator

Pompeo Colonna

b. 1479

Italian noble (1479–1532)

Ponnambalam Ramanathan

b. 1851

Ceylon lawyer and politician

Pontiac (Odawa leader)

18th century Native American war chief

Pontormo

b. 1494

Florentine Mannerist painter

Pontus Hultén

b. 1924

Swedish art collector and museum director (1924–2006)

Pope Adeodatus II

Head of the Catholic Church from 672 to 676

Pope Agapetus I

Head of the Catholic Church from 535 to 536

Pope Alexander II

Head of the Catholic Church from 1061 to 1073

Pope Alexander IV

Head of the Catholic Church from 1254 to 1261

Pope Alexander VII

Head of the Catholic Church from 1655 to 1667

Pope Alexander VIII

b. 1610

Head of the Catholic Church from 1689 to 1691

Pope Benedict II

Head of the Catholic Church from 684 to 685

Pope Benedict III

Head of the Catholic Church from 855 to 858

Pope Benedict XII

Head of the Catholic Church from 1334 to 1342

Pope Benedict XIV

Head of the Catholic Church from 1740 to 1758

Pope Benedict XVI

b. 1927

Head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013

Pope Boniface IV

Head of the Catholic Church from 608 to 615

Pope Caius

Head of the Catholic Church from 283 to 296

Pope Celestine V

Head of the Catholic Church in 1294

Pope Clement V

Head of the Catholic Church from 1305 to 1314

Pope Clement VII

b. 1478

Head of the Catholic Church from 1523 to 1534

Pope Eugene I

Head of the Catholic Church from 654 to 657

Pope Francis

Head of the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025