Leading Figures in History

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

58072 persons found

Abdul Qadeer Khan

Pakistani nuclear physicist (1936–2021)

Abdul Qadir (cricketer)

b. 1955

Pakistani cricketer (1955–2019)

Abdul Rahim Hatif

Afghan politician

Abdul Rashid Ghazi

Pakistani Islamic scholar and diplomat (1964–2007)

Abdul Sattar Edhi

Pakistani philanthropist (1928-2016)

Abdulaziz

Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1861 to 1876

Abdulaziz al-Omari

b. 1979

Saudi terrorist and 9/11 hijacker (1979–2001)

Abdülhalik Renda

Turkish politician

Abdulkadir Inan

b. 1889

Turkish historian (1889–1976)

Abdulla Yameen

b. 1959

President of the Maldives from 2013 to 2018

Abdullah Ansari

b. 1006

11th-century Sufi scholar and saint

Abdullah Gül

b. 1950

President of Turkey from 2007 to 2014

Abdullah I of Jordan

Ruler of Jordan from 1921 to 1951

Abdullah Ibrahim

b. 1934

South African pianist and composer (1934–2026)

Abdullah of Córdoba

Emir of Córdoba from 888 to 912

Abdullah of Saudi Arabia

b. 1924

King of Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2015

Abdülmecid I

Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1839 to 1861

Abdülmecid II

Ottoman caliph from 1922 to 1924

Abdur Rahman Biswas

b. 1926

President of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996

Abdur Rahman Khan

Emir of Afghanistan from 1880 to 1901

Abdur Razzak (cricketer)

b. 1982

Bangladeshi cricketer

Abdurrahman Wahid

b. 1940

President of Indonesia from 1999 to 2001

Abe Burrows

American writer, director and humorist (1910–1985)

Abe Cunningham

b. 1973

American drummer (born 1973)