Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

James Beard

b. 1903

American chef (1903–1985)

James Beaumont Neilson

b. 1792

British inventor of the hot-blast process for smelting iron (1792-1865)

James Bernard (composer)

b. 1925

British film composer (1925–2001)

James Bertie, 1st Earl of Abingdon

b. 1653

English nobleman

James Best

b. 1926

American actor, musician, artist (1926–2015)

James Bevel

b. 1936

1960s civil rights movement strategist (1936–2008)

James Bjorken

b. 1934

American physicist (1934–2024)

James Black (pharmacologist)

b. 1924

Scottish doctor and pharmacologist (1924–2010)

James Blake (musician)

b. 1988

English singer-songwriter (born 1988)

James Blish

American science fiction and fantasy author (1921–1975)

James Booker

American R&B keyboardist and singer (1939–1983)

James Boswell

Scottish lawyer, diarist and author (1740–1795)

James Boucaut

b. 1831

Australian politician and judge

James Bourne

b. 1983

English singer-songwriter (born 1983)

James Bowdoin

b. 1726

American politician (1726–1790)

James Bradford (weightlifter)

b. 1928

American weightlifter (1928–2013)

James Bradley

English astronomer (1692–1762)

James Brady

White House Press Secretary under Ronald Reagan (1940–2014)

James Braid (surgeon)

b. 1795

Scottish surgeon (1795–1860), pioneer of hypnotism

James Broderick

American actor (1927-1982)

James Brolin

b. 1940

American actor (born 1940)

James Brooks (painter)

b. 1906

American Abstract Expressionist, muralist, abstract painter, art teacher (1906–1992)

James Brown

b. 1933

American musician (1933–2006)

James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos

British landowner and politician (1673–1744)