Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

Joseph Krumgold

American writer

Joseph L. Goldstein

b. 1940

American biochemist

Joseph Leidy

American anatomist and paleontologist (1823-1891)

Joseph Levis

b. 1905

American fencer (1905–2005)

Joseph Leycester Lyne

Anglican Benedictine monk (1837–1908)

Joseph Liouville

French mathematician (1809–1882)

Joseph Locke

b. 1805

English civil engineer (1805–1860)

Joseph Losey

American theatre and film director (1909–1984)

Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac

French chemist and physicist (1778–1850)

Joseph Lowery

b. 1921

American minister and civil rights activist (1921–2020)

Joseph Luns

Dutch politician and diplomat (1911–2002)

Joseph Lyons

b. 1879

Prime Minister of Australia from 1932 to 1939

Joseph Manu

b. 1996

New Zealand and Maori international rugby league footballer

Joseph Marie Jacquard

b. 1752

French weaver, merchant, and inventor (1752–1834)

Joseph Martin Kraus

b. 1756

German–Swedish composer

Joseph Martin Sartoris

b. 1927

American Roman Catholic prelate (1927–2025)

Joseph May

b. 1974

British-born Canadian actor

Joseph Mazzello

b. 1983

American actor (born 1983)

Joseph McCarthy

American politician (1908–1957)

Joseph McDade

b. 1931

American politician

Joseph Meek

American pioneer, mountain man, law enforcement official, and politician(1810–1875)

Joseph Merrick

b. 1862

Man with severe deformities (1862–1890)

Joseph Méry

French writer, poet, playwright and librettist (1797–1866)

Joseph Meyer (Wyoming politician)

American politician