Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

Willie Mays

b. 1931

American baseball player (1931–2024)

Willie Miller

b. 1955

Scottish footballer & manager (born 1955)

Willie Mitchell (ice hockey)

b. 1977

Canadian ice hockey player (born 1977)

Willie Morris

American writer and editor (1934–1999)

Willie Mosconi

b. 1913

American pool player (1913–1993)

Willie Nelson

b. 1933

American country musician (born 1933)

Willie Pearse

Irish revolutionary (1881–1916)

Willie Randolph

b. 1954

American baseball player and coach (born 1954)

Willie Ripia

b. 1985

Rugby player

Willie Roaf

b. 1970

American football player (born 1970)

Willie Tonga

b. 1983

Australia international rugby league footballer

Willie Upshaw

b. 1957

American baseball player (born 1957)

Willie Wilson (baseball)

b. 1955

American baseball player (born 1955)

Willis Augustus Lee

b. 1888

United States Navy admiral (1888–1945)

Willis Carto

b. 1926

American political activist (1926–2015)

Willis Lamb

b. 1913

American physicist (1913–2008)

Willis R. Whitney

b. 1868

American chemist (1868–1958)

Willis Reed

b. 1942

American basketball player (1942–2023)

Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire

b. 1718

British politician (1718–1793)

Willson Contreras

b. 1992

Venezuelan baseball player (born 1992)

Willy DeVille

American singer-songwriter (1950–2009)

Willy Fritsch

German-Silesian actor (1901-1973)

Willy Hartner

German scientist and polymath

Willy Hess (violinist)

b. 1859

German violinist (1859-1939)