Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

William Gallas

b. 1977

French footballer (born 1977)

William Gargan

b. 1905

American actor (1905–1979)

William Garnett (photographer)

American photographer (1916–2006)

William George Beers

b. 1843

Canadian dentist and lacrosse player

William Giauque

b. 1895

Canadian-born American chemist

William Gilbert (physicist)

b. 1544

English physician and natural philosopher (1544?-1603)

William Gillette

American manager and playwright

William Glackens

American painter (1870–1938)

William Glasser

American psychiatrist

William Golding

British novelist, poet, and playwright (1911–1993)

William Goldman

b. 1931

American writer (1931–2018)

William Grant Stairs

Canadian-British explorer, soldier, and adventurer

William Grant Still

b. 1895

American composer (1895–1978)

William Greaves

American documentary filmmaker

William Guarnere

b. 1923

US Army soldier

William Guest (singer)

b. 1941

American soul singer (1941–2015)

William H. Dana

NASA research pilot and astronaut (1930–2014)

William H. Donaldson

American businessman (1931–2024)

William H. Goetzmann

b. 1930

American historian of philosophy (1930–2010)

William H. Gray III

American politician (1941–2013)

William H. Prescott

b. 1796

American historian and Hispanist (1796–1859)

William H. Riker

American political scientist (1920–1993)

William H. Seward

b. 1801

American politician (1801–1872)

William H. Seward Jr.

b. 1839

US Army general (1839–1920)