Leading Figures in History

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

18354 persons found

William Paget, 1st Baron Paget

English statesman (1506–1563)

William Paley

English Christian philosopher (1743–1805)

William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse

b. 1800

English engineer and astronomer (1800–1867)

William Payne Whitney

American businessman (1876–1927)

William Penn (Royal Navy officer)

b. 1621

English naval officer and politician (1621–1670)

William Pennington

b. 1796

American politician (1796–1862)

William Pereira

b. 1909

American architect (1909–1985)

William Petty

b. 1623

English economist and philosopher (1623–1687)

William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne

b. 1737

Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1782 to 1783

William Pirrie, 1st Viscount Pirrie

b. 1847

British shipbuilder and businessman (1847–1924)

William Pitt the Younger

b. 1759

British statesman (1759–1806)

William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham

Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768

William Primrose

Scottish violist and teacher (1904–1982)

William Propsting

b. 1861

Australian politician

William Quantrill

Confederate guerrilla leader (1837–1865)

William R. Day

b. 1849

US Supreme Court justice from 1903 to 1922

William R. Roy

American politician

William Randolph Hearst

b. 1863

American newspaper publisher (1863–1951)

William Randolph Hearst Jr.

American newspaper publisher (1908–1993)

William Refshauge

Australian general and public health administrator (1913 - 2009)

William Regal

b. 1968

English professional wrestler (born 1968)

William Reid (mining engineer)

b. 1906

William Ridenour

b. 1958

American politician (born 1958)

William Roberts (painter)

b. 1895

British painter (1895–1980)