Leading Figures in History

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

39104 persons found

Charles Albert Gobat

b. 1843

Swiss politician, lawyer and educational administrator (1843–1914)

Charles Albert of Sardinia

King of Sardinia from 1831 to 1849

Charles Albert Tindley

b. 1851

American minister and composer (1851–1933)

Charles Alderton

b. 1857

American pharmacist and inventor of Dr Pepper

Charles Algernon Parsons

b. 1854

Anglo-Irish mechanical engineer and inventor (1854–1931)

Charles Amadeus, Duke of Nemours

Duke of Nemours

Charles Ancillon

French jurist and diplomat

Charles and Ray Eames

Architectural and design duo

Charles Anthony (tenor)

b. 1929

American tenor

Charles Aznavour

b. 1924

French singer and songwriter (1924–2018)

Charles B. Fulton

American judge

Charles B. Hanford

b. 1859

American actor

Charles Banks Wilson

American painter

Charles Bannerman

b. 1851

Australian cricketer (1851–1930)

Charles Barrois

b. 1851

French geologist and palaeontologist (1851–1939)

Charles Barry

English architect (1795–1860)

Charles Bathurst, 1st Viscount Bledisloe

British Conservative politician and colonial governor

Charles Batteux

b. 1713

French philosopher and writer (1713–1780)

Charles Baudin

French admiral

Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St Albans

b. 1670

British Duke (1670–1726)

Charles Beetham

b. 1914

American middle-distance runner (1914–1997)

Charles Bennett (screenwriter)

b. 1899

English screenwriter (1899–1995)

Charles Berkeley, 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge

English politician (1599–1668)

Charles Berling

b. 1958

French actor, director, and screenwriter