Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

William W. Snow

b. 1812

American politician

William Wakefield Baum

American Catholic prelate (1926–2015)

William Waldegrave, 1st Baron Radstock

b. 1753

Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator (1753–1825)

William Walker (filibuster)

b. 1824

American physician, lawyer, journalist, and mercenary (1824–1860)

William Wallace

Scottish knight (1270–1305)

William Warburton

English writer and critic (1698–1779)

William Warham

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1503 to 1532

William Watson (scientist)

English physician and scientist (1715–1787)

William Waynflete

15th-century English bishop and educator

William Wentworth

b. 1790

Australian statesman, writer and explorer

William Westmoreland

United States Army general (1914–2005)

William Whewell

b. 1794

English polymath (1794–1866)

William Whiston

English theologian, historian, translator and mathematician (1667–1752)

William Whitelaw

b. 1918

British politician (1918–1999)

William Wilberforce

English politician and abolitionist (1759–1833)

William Willett

b. 1856

British builder (1856–1915)

William Wilson Morgan

American astronomer

William Windom (actor)

American actor (1923–2012)

William Wishart

William Wordsworth

English Romantic poet (1770–1850)

William Wotton

b. 1666

English theologian, classical scholar and linguist (1666–1727)

William Wyler

b. 1902

German-born American film director (1902–1981)

William Zillman

b. 1986

Australian rugby league footballer

William, Count of Nassau-Siegen

German count and field marshal of the Dutch States Army (1592–1642)