Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

W. Averell Harriman

American businessman, politician and diplomat (1891–1986)

W. B. Yeats

b. 1865

Irish poet and playwright (1865–1939)

W. Cary Edwards

b. 1944

American politician

W. D. Hamilton

b. 1936

British evolutionary biologist (1936–2000)

W. E. B. Du Bois

American sociologist and activist (1868–1963)

W. G. G. Duncan Smith

b. 1914

British flying ace (1914–1996)

W. G. Grace

b. 1848

English cricketer (1848–1915)

W. G. Sebald

b. 1944

German writer and academic (1944–2001)

W. Graham Claytor Jr.

American government official (1912–1994)

W. H. Davies

b. 1871

Welsh poet and writer (1871–1940)

W. H. R. Rivers

English psychiatrist and anthropologist (1864–1922)

W. J. M. Rankine

b. 1820

Scottish mechanical engineer (1820–1872)

W. O. Bentley

English engineer (1888–1971)

W. Otto Miessner

b. 1880

American composer and music educator (1880–1967)

W. P. Kinsella

b. 1935

Canadian author (1935–2016)

W. S. Gilbert

English dramatist, poet and illustrator (1836–1911)

W. T. Stead

b. 1849

English newspaper editor (1849–1912)

W. T. Tutte

British-Canadian codebreaker and mathematician (1917–2002)

W. W. E. Ross

b. 1894

Canadian poet (1894–1966)

W. W. Thayer

b. 1827

American judge and 6th Governor of Oregon

W. Watts Biggers

b. 1927

American novelist

Waddy Wachtel

b. 1947

American musician (born 1947)

Wade Barrett

b. 1980

English professional wrestler (born 1980)

Wade Barrett (soccer)

b. 1976

American soccer player (born 1976)