Leading Figures in History

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

24408 persons found

Wubbo de Boer

b. 1948

Dutch civil servant (1948 – 2017)

Wubbo Ockels

Dutch astronaut (1946–2014)

Wude Ayalew

b. 1987

Ethiopian long-distance runner

Wulfstan (died 1023)

Archbishop of York from 1002 to 1023

Wyatt Roy

b. 1990

Australian politician (born 1990)

Wyndham Halswelle

b. 1882

British athlete and soldier (1882–1915)

Wynonna Judd

b. 1964

American country singer (born 1964)

Xanana Gusmão

b. 1946

Prime Minister of Timor-Leste (2007–2015; since 2023)

Xavi Simons

b. 2003

Dutch footballer (born 2003)

Xavier Herbert

b. 1901

Australian writer (1901–1984)

Xavier McDaniel

b. 1963

American basketball player (born 1963)

Xavier Rhodes

b. 1990

American football player (born 1990)

Xavier Tondo

Spanish cyclist (1978–2011)

Xavier Worthy

b. 2003

American football player (born 2003)

Xenophon Zolotas

b. 1904

Greek economist (1904–2004)

Xi Jinping

b. 1953

Leader of China since 2012

Xiahou Dun

Chinese Han dynasty general (died 220)

Xiang Zhongfa

Chinese politician (1879–1931)

Xiao Qing

Chinese politician

Xiao Tong

Crown Prince of Liang Dynasty (501–531)

Xin Qiji

b. 1140

Chinese poet (1140–1207)

Xochitl Gomez

b. 2006

American actress (born 2006)

Xu Guangqi

b. 1562

Chinese intellectual (1562–1633)

Xu Ji

Chinese politician from Former Shu (d. 936)