Leading Figures in History

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

21509 persons found

Charles Sturridge

b. 1951

English director and screenwriter

Charles Sturt

Australian explorer (1795–1869)

Charles Sumner Tainter

b. 1854

American inventor and businessman (1854–1940)

Charles Tennant

b. 1768

Scottish chemist and industrialist (1768–1838)

Charles the Bald

b. 823

King of West Francia from 843 to 877 and Carolingian Emperor from 875 to 877

Charles the Fat

b. 839

Carolingian emperor from 881 to 887

Charles Thomas Jackson

b. 1805

American physician and scientist (1805–1880)

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

British Whig statesman (1674–1738)

Charles Van Acker

Belgian–American racing driver (1912–1998)

Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry

b. 1778

Anglo-Irish soldier (1778–1854)

Charles VIII of France

b. 1470

King of France from 1483 to 1498

Charles W. Bagnal

United States Army general

Charles W. Chesnutt

b. 1858

African-American writer, activist, and lawyer (1858–1932)

Charles W. Fairbanks

b. 1852

Vice President of the United States from 1905 to 1909

Charles W. Pickering

b. 1937

American judge (born 1937)

Charles W. Woodworth

b. 1865

American entomologist (1865–1940)

Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham

b. 1730

Prime Minister of Great Britain (1765–1766; 1782)

Charles Webb (author)

b. 1939

American writer (1939–2020)

Charles Weston, 3rd Earl of Portland

b. 1639

Charles William Miller

Brazilian sportsman (1874–1953)

Charles Williams (British writer)

British writer, theologian, and literary critic (1886-1945)

Charles Wriothesley

b. 1508

16th-century officer of arms at College of Arms

Charles Wuorinen

b. 1938

American composer (1938–2020)

Charles XII of Sweden

b. 1682

King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718