Leading Figures in History

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

62247 persons found

Memphis Slim

b. 1915

American blues pianist, singer, and composer (1915–1988)

Mena Massoud

b. 1991

Egyptian-born Canadian actor (born 1991)

Menachem Avidom

Israeli composer of Polish descent (1908–1995)

Menachem Begin

b. 1913

Prime Minister of Israel from 1977 to 1983

Menachem Elon

b. 1923

Israeli High Court judge (1923–2013)

Menachem Mendel Schneersohn

b. 1789

Third Chabad Rebbe (1789–1866)

Menachem Mendel Schneerson

Seventh Chabad Rebbe (1902–1994)

Menahem Golan

b. 1929

Israeli film director and producer (1929–2014)

Menashe Kadishman

b. 1932

Israeli sculptor and painter (1932–2015)

Ménélik

b. 1970

Musical artist

Meng Chang

Emperor of Later Shu from 934 to 965

Meng Hanqiong

Meng Qingshu

Chinese politician (1911–1983)

Meng Zhixiang

b. 874

Emperor of Later Shu in 934

Menina Izildinha

b. 1897

Unofficial popular child saint

Menno Oosting

b. 1964

Dutch tennis player (1964–1999)

Menno ter Braak

Dutch writer (1902–1940)

Menzies Campbell

b. 1941

British politician (1941–2025)

Meral Okay

b. 1959

Turkish actress and screenwriter (1959-2012)

Merata Mita

New Zealand filmmaker (1942–2010)

Merce Cunningham

b. 1919

American dancer and choreographer (1919–2009)

Mercè Rodoreda

b. 1908

Catalan novelist and poet

Mercedes Arn-Horn

b. 1993

Canadian musician (born 1993)

Mercedes de Acosta

American poet, playwright, and novelist (1892–1968)