Leading Figures in History

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

21506 persons found

Willie Applegarth

b. 1890

English sprinter (1890–1958)

Willie Colón

b. 1950

American musician (1950–2026)

Willie Davenport

b. 1943

American athlete and bobsledder (1943–2002)

Willie Geist

b. 1975

American television personality (born 1975)

Willie John McBride

b. 1940

Irish rugby union player

Willie Macfarlane

b. 1889

Scottish professional golfer (1889–1961)

Willie Mays

b. 1931

American baseball player (1931–2024)

Willie Miller

b. 1955

Scottish footballer & manager (born 1955)

Willie Mitchell (ice hockey)

b. 1977

Canadian ice hockey player (born 1977)

Willie Mosconi

b. 1913

American pool player (1913–1993)

Willie Nelson

b. 1933

American country musician (born 1933)

Willie Pearse

Irish revolutionary (1881–1916)

Willie Roaf

b. 1970

American football player (born 1970)

Willie Upshaw

b. 1957

American baseball player (born 1957)

Willis Augustus Lee

b. 1888

United States Navy admiral (1888–1945)

Willis Reed

b. 1942

American basketball player (1942–2023)

Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire

b. 1718

British politician (1718–1793)

Willson Contreras

b. 1992

Venezuelan baseball player (born 1992)

Willy Hartner

German scientist and polymath

Willy Ley

German and American writer (1906–1969)

Willy Messerschmitt

b. 1898

German aircraft designer and manufacturer (1898–1978)

Willy Rampf

b. 1953

German car engineer (born 1953)

Willy Stöwer

b. 1864

German painter (1864–1931)

Wilma Rudolph

b. 1940

American athlete (1940–1994)