Leading Figures in History

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

21506 persons found

Violet Milstead

Canadian aviator

Violetta Villas

b. 1938

Polish singer (1938–2011)

Violette Dorange

b. 2001

French offshore sailor

Violette Morris

French athlete (1893–1944)

Violette Szabo

b. 1921

French espionage agent

Virbhadra Singh

b. 1934

Indian politician (1934–2021)

Virgil Fox

b. 1912

American organist (1912–1980)

Virgil Trucks

b. 1917

American baseball player (1917–2013)

Virginia Apgar

b. 1909

American physician and obstetrical anesthesiologist (1909–1974)

Virginia Capers

American actress (1925–2004)

Virginia de' Medici

b. 1568

Duchess consort of Modena and Reggio

Virginia MacWatters

b. 1912

Operatic soprano and pedagogue.

Virginia McKenna

b. 1931

British actress (born 1931)

Virginia O'Brien

b. 1919

American actress and singer (1919–2001)

Virginia Oliver

b. 1920

American lobster fisherwoman (1920–2026)

Virginia Patton

b. 1925

American actress (1925–2022)

Virginia Satir

b. 1916

American psychotherapist (1916–1988)

Virginie Basselot

b. 1979

French chef (born 1979)

Virginie Despentes

b. 1969

French author and filmmaker

Virginie Loveling

b. 1836

Flemish author

Vishnu Prabhakar

b. 1912

Indian writer

Vishwananda

b. 1978

Neo-Hindu religious leader

Vita Sackville-West

English writer and gardener (1892–1962)

Vital Borkelmans

b. 1963

Belgian football coach and former player