Leading Figures in History

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

58072 persons found

William Poole

b. 1821

American boxer and gang leader (1821-1855)

William Porterfield

b. 1984

Irish cricketer

William Powell

b. 1892

American actor (1892–1984)

William Primrose

Scottish violist and teacher (1904–1982)

William Propsting

b. 1861

Australian politician

William Prynne

English lawyer, author and politician (1600–1669)

William Pulteney, 1st Earl of Bath

English politician and peer (1684–1764)

William Quantrill

Confederate guerrilla leader (1837–1865)

William R. Day

b. 1849

US Supreme Court justice from 1903 to 1922

William R. Forstchen

b. 1950

American historian and author (born 1950)

William R. Orthwein

American swimmer (1881–1955)

William R. Roy

American politician

William R. Wilkerson

American film personality and publisher

William Ramsay

Scottish chemist (1852–1916)

William Randolph Hearst

b. 1863

American newspaper publisher (1863–1951)

William Randolph Hearst Jr.

American newspaper publisher (1908–1993)

William Raspberry

American journalist (1935–2012)

William Rees-Mogg

b. 1928

British journalist (1928–2012)

William Refshauge

Australian general and public health administrator (1913 - 2009)

William Regal

b. 1968

English professional wrestler (born 1968)

William Rehnquist

Chief Justice of the United States from 1986 to 2005

William Reid (mining engineer)

b. 1906

William Reid (musician)

b. 1958

Musical artist

William Renshaw

British tennis player