Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

William Honan

American journalist and author

William Hooper

b. 1742

American Founding Father and politician (1742–1790)

William Howard Stein

b. 1911

American biochemist (1911–1980)

William Hoyt (athlete)

b. 1875

American pole vaulter (1875–1954)

William Hudson (engineer)

b. 1896

New Zealand–Australian engineer (1896–1978)

William Hull

b. 1753

American military officer and politician (1753–1825)

William Hunter (anatomist)

b. 1718

Scottish physician (1718–1783)

William Hutt (actor)

Canadian actor of stage, television and film

William Hyde Wollaston

b. 1766

English chemist and physicist (1766–1828)

William I of Aquitaine

Duke of Aquitaine

William I of Sicily

King of Sicily from 1154 to 1166

William I of the Netherlands

b. 1772

King of the Netherlands from 1815 to 1840

William I, Count of Hainaut

Count of Hainaut from 1304 to 1337

William II of Athens

William II of England

King of England from 1087 to 1100

William II of Nevers

William II, Count of Flanders

Count of Flanders (1224–1251)

William II, Landgrave of Hesse

b. 1469

Landgrave of Upper Hesse

William II, Prince of Orange

b. 1626

Prince of Orange from 1647 to 1650

William III, Landgrave of Thuringia

b. 1425

Landgrave of Thuringia from the Wettin dynasty

William Inge

b. 1913

American playwright and novelist (1913–1973)

William Irvine (Australian politician)

b. 1858

Australian politician and judge (1858–1943)

William IV

King of the United Kingdom from 1830 to 1837

William IV, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

b. 1852

Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 1905 to 1912