Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

John Wood, the Elder

English architect (1704–1754)

John Wooden

American basketball coach (1910–2010)

John Woodland Hastings

American biologist

John Woodruff (runner)

b. 1915

American middle-distance runner

John Woolman

American Quaker preacher and writer

John Worsfold

b. 1968

Australian rules footballer, born 1968

John Wrathall

Former President of Rhodesia

John Wright (cricketer, born 1954)

b. 1954

New Zealand cricketer

John Wyndham

b. 1903

English science fiction writer (1903–1969)

John Y. McCollister

American politician (1921–2013)

John Yonge

English ecclesiastic and diplomat (c. 1465–1516)

John Yoo

b. 1967

American legal scholar (born 1967)

John York (musician)

b. 1946

American bassist and guitarist (born 1946)

John Young (actor, born 1916)

Scottish actor (1916–1996)

John Young (astronaut)

b. 1930

American astronaut and lunar explorer (1930–2018)

John Young (British musician)

b. 1956

British rock musician

John Zachary Young

English zoologist and neurophysiologist

John Zápolya

King of Hungary from 1526 to 1540

John Zorn

b. 1953

American composer, saxophonist and bandleader (born 1953)

John-Roger Hinkins

American minister (1934–2014)

John, Constable of Portugal

Portuguese prince and Constable of Portugal (1400–1442)

John, Count of Angoulême

b. 1399

French nobleman

John, Duke of Berry

Member of French nobility (1340–1416)

John, Elector of Saxony

b. 1468

Elector of Saxony from 1525 to 1532