Leading Figures in History

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

39104 persons found

Cecil FitzMaurice, 8th Earl of Orkney

b. 1919

Cecil Harmsworth King

British publisher

Cecil Howard Green

b. 1900

British-born American geophysicist, engineer and electronics executive

Cecil Kellaway

b. 1890

South African actor (1890–1973)

Cecil Rhodes

b. 1853

British mining magnate and politician (1853–1902)

Cécile Aubry

French actress, television director, writer and screenwriter

Cécile Chabot

Canadian poet and illustrator (1907–1990)

Cécile Chaminade

b. 1857

French composer and pianist (1857–1944)

Cecile Richards

b. 1957

American activist (1957–2025)

Cecilia Bartoli

b. 1966

Italian opera singer (born 1966)

Cecilia Beaux

b. 1855

American painter (1855–1942)

Cecilia Malmström

b. 1968

Swedish politician (born 1968)

Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin

b. 1900

British and American astronomer (1900–1979)

Cecilia Renata of Austria

b. 1611

Queen of Poland from 1637 to 1644

Cecilia Roth

b. 1956

Argentine actress (born 1956)

Cecilie Myrseth

b. 1984

Norwegian politician (born 1984)

Cecily Bonville, 7th Baroness Harington

English noblewoman and peeress (1460–1529)

Cecily Neville, Duchess of Warwick

English duchess

Cecily Neville, Duchess of York

b. 1415

English noblewoman (1415–1495)

Cecily of York

English princess (1469–1507)

Cedric Alexander

b. 1989

American professional wrestler (born 1989)

Cedric Belfrage

English writer and activist (1904–1990)

Cedric Brooks

Musical artist

Cedric Ceballos

b. 1969

American basketball player (born 1969)