Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

Melanie Phillips

b. 1951

English journalist (born 1951)

Melanie Pullen

b. 1975

American photographer (born 1975)

Melanie Thornton

b. 1967

American singer (1967–2001)

Mélanie Turgeon

b. 1976

Canadian skier (born 1976)

Melba Montgomery

b. 1938

American country music singer-songwriter (1938–2025)

Melba Moore

b. 1945

American singer and actress (born 1945)

Melchior Berri

b. 1801

Swiss architect

Melchior de Polignac

b. 1661

French diplomat, Cardinal and neo-Latin poet

Melchior Franck

German composer

Melchior Grodziecki

Silesian Jesuit priest, martyr, and Catholic saint

Melchior Klesl

Austrian statesman and cardinal (1552–1630)

Melchor Cano

Spanish theologian

Melchor de Navarrete

Spanish soldier and administrator

Meles Zenawi

b. 1955

Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1995 to 2012

Meletius Metaxakis

Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1921 to 1923

Melih Esenbel

Turkish diplomat and politician

Melih Gökçek

b. 1948

Turkish politician (born 1948)

Melih Kibar

b. 1951

Turkish composer

Melina Aslanidou

b. 1970

Greek singer

Melina Kanakaredes

b. 1967

American actress (born 1967)

Melina Mercouri

b. 1920

Greek actress, singer, activist, and politician (1920–1994)

Melinda Dillon

b. 1939

American actress (1939–2023)

Melinda French Gates

b. 1964

American philanthropist (born 1964)

Melinda McGraw

b. 1963

American actress (born 1968)