Leading Figures in History

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

39103 persons found

Bertrand Russell

b. 1872

English mathematician and philosopher (1872–1970)

Bertrand Tavernier

b. 1941

French film director (1941–2021)

Beryl Bainbridge

English writer (1932–2010)

Beryl Burton

b. 1937

English racing cyclist (1937–1996)

Beryl Cook

British artist (1926–2008)

Beryl Grey

b. 1927

British ballet dancer (1927–2022)

Beryl Reid

b. 1919

British actress (1919–1996)

Besart Berisha

b. 1985

Kosovan association football player

Besian Idrizaj

Austrian footballer (1987–2010)

Bess Myerson

b. 1924

American actress and politician (1924–2014)

Bessie Coleman

Afro-Indigenous pioneer in aviation (1892–1926)

Bessie Head

b. 1937

Botswana writer (1937–1986)

Bessie Love

American actress (1898–1986)

Beth Chapman

American reality television star (1967–2019)

Beth Howland

b. 1941

American actress (1941–2015)

Beth Mead

b. 1995

English footballer (born 1995)

Beto (footballer, born 1982)

b. 1982

Portuguese footballer

Betsey Johnson

b. 1942

American fashion designer

Betsy Bloomingdale

b. 1922

American socialite (1922–2016)

Betsy Byars

b. 1928

American children's books author (1928–2020)

Betsy Jolas

b. 1926

French and American composer (born 1926)

Betsy Palmer

American actress (1926–2015)

Betsy Rawls

b. 1928

American professional golfer (1928–2023)

Betsy Sodaro

b. 1984

American actress