Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

Bela Lugosi

Hungarian actor (1882–1956)

Béla Tarr

b. 1955

Hungarian filmmaker (1955–2026)

Belaid Abdessalam

b. 1928

Algerian politician (1928–2020)

Belaynesh Oljira

b. 1990

Ethiopian long-distance runner

Belchior (singer)

Musical artist

Belinda Carlisle

b. 1958

American singer (born 1958)

Belinda Dann

b. 1900

Indigenous Australian member of the Stolen Generations

Belinda Green

b. 1952

Australian model

Belinda Stronach

b. 1966

Canadian politician (born 1966)

Bella Abzug

b. 1920

American politician (1920–1998)

Bella Davidovich

b. 1928

Soviet-American pianist (born 1928)

Bella Freud

b. 1961

British fashion designer (born 1961)

Bella Heathcote

b. 1987

Australian actress (born 1987)

Belle da Costa Greene

American librarian (1879–1950)

Belmiro de Almeida

b. 1858

Brazilian artist (1858–1935)

Ben Affleck

b. 1972

American actor and filmmaker (born 1972)

Ben Alexander (rugby league)

Australian rugby league footballer (1971–1992)

Ben Askren

b. 1984

American wrestler and mixed martial artist (born 1984)

Ben Atchley

b. 1930

American politician (1930–2018)

Ben Barba

b. 1989

Australian former rugby league footballer

Ben Barnes (actor)

b. 1981

English actor (born 1981)

Ben Barnes (Texas politician)

b. 1938

American politician (born 1938)

Ben Bass (actor)

b. 1968

American-Canadian actor

Ben Bradlee

b. 1921

Executive editor of The Washington Post from 1968 to 1991