Leading Figures in History

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

58072 persons found

William Bell (singer)

b. 1939

American soul singer and songwriter (born 1939)

William Bennett

b. 1943

3rd United States Secretary of Education

William Bentinck, 1st Earl of Portland

b. 1649

Dutch-born British courtier and diplomat

William Berenberg

American physician

William Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford

b. 1768

Anglo-Portuguese General

William Bernard Ziff Jr.

b. 1930

American publishing executive (1930–2006)

William Bernbach

b. 1911

American businessman (1911–1982)

William Billings

American choral composer

William Birdwood

British army officer (1865–1951)

William Blackstone

b. 1723

English jurist, judge, and politician (1723–1780)

William Blake

English poet and artist (1757–1827)

William Bland

Australian politician

William Bligh

b. 1754

Royal Navy officer and colonial administrator (1754–1817)

William Bolcom

b. 1938

American composer and pianist (born 1938)

William Booth

English Methodist preacher and founder of The Salvation Army (1829–1912)

William Borlase

18th-century English antiquary and naturalist

William Bourchier, 3rd Earl of Bath

English noble (1557–1623)

William Bowyer (artist)

b. 1926

William Boyce (composer)

b. 1711

English composer and organist (18th. c.)

William Boyd (actor)

b. 1895

American actor (1895–1972)

William Bradford (governor)

English Separatist leader (1590–1657)

William Bradford (printer, born 1663)

Early English-born printer in North America

William Bradford (printer, born 1719)

American printer (1719–1791)

William Bradshaw, Baron Bradshaw

b. 1936

British academic and politician (born 1936)