Leading Figures in History

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

21506 persons found

Vasily Tatishchev

b. 1686

Russian historian and statesman (1686–1750)

Vasily Zhukovsky

Russian poet (1783–1852)

Vasko Popa

b. 1922

Serbian poet (1922–1991)

Vassilis Constantakopoulos

b. 1935

Greek entrepreneur (1935–2011)

Vassilis Karapialis

b. 1965

Greek footballer (born 1965)

Vasyl Velychkovsky

b. 1903

Ukrainian bishop and martyr (1903–1973)

Vaughn Monroe

American singer (1911–1973)

Vecchietta

Italian painter (1410–1480)

Veijo Meri

Finnish writer

Veikko Uusimäki

Finnish actor

Velimir Khlebnikov

Russian playwright, poet and futurist (1885-1922)

Veloso (Brazilian footballer)

b. 1983

Brazilian footballer

Velupillai Prabhakaran

Leader of militant Tamil organisation in Sri Lanka (1954–2009)

Venerius (bishop of Milan)

Roman Catholic Saint; Archbishop of Milan from 400 (or 401) to 408

Veniamin Kaverin

b. 1902

Soviet and Russian writer, dramatist and screenwriter

Venus Williams

b. 1980

American tennis player (born 1980)

Venustiano Carranza

President of Mexico from 1914 to 1920

Vera Atkins

Romanian-born British intelligence officer

Věra Čáslavská

b. 1942

Czech gymnast (1942–2016)

Vera Gebuhr

b. 1916

Danish actress (1916–2014)

Vera Krepkina

b. 1933

Soviet athletics competitor (1933–2023)

Vera Lynn

English singer and entertainer (1917–2020)

Vera Wang

b. 1949

American fashion designer (born 1949)

Vere Bird

Leader of Antigua and Barbuda (1960–1971; 1976–1994)