Leading Figures in History

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

62243 persons found

Velimir Khlebnikov

Russian playwright, poet and futurist (1885-1922)

Veliyam Bharghavan

Indian politician

Veljko Kadijević

Yugoslav military commander and politician

Veljo Tormis

b. 1930

Estonian composer (1930–2017)

Vello Helk

b. 1923

Danish historian

Vello Kaaristo

Estonian cross-country skier (1911–1965)

Vellore G. Ramabhadran

b. 1929

Indian mridangam player (1929-2012)

Velma Caldwell Melville

b. 1858

American editor and writer (1858–1924)

Veloso (Brazilian footballer)

b. 1983

Brazilian footballer

Velupillai Prabhakaran

Leader of militant Tamil organisation in Sri Lanka (1954–2009)

Velvalee Dickinson

b. 1893

US spy for Imperial Japan (1893–1980)

Vendramino Bariviera

b. 1937

Italian cyclist (1937–2001)

Venerius (bishop of Milan)

Roman Catholic Saint; Archbishop of Milan from 400 (or 401) to 408

Venetia Burney

b. 1918

English accountant and teacher, suggested name of Pluto (1918–2009)

Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar

Indian writer

Veniamin Kaverin

b. 1902

Soviet and Russian writer, dramatist and screenwriter

Venkaiah Naidu

b. 1949

Vice President of India from 2017 to 2022

Venkat Prabhu

b. 1975

Indian film director, actor, playback singer (born 1975)

Venkataraman Subramanya

b. 1936

Venkatesh Prasad

b. 1969

Indian cricket player

Ventseslav Konstantinov

b. 1940

Bulgarian writer and translator (1940–2019)

Venus Williams

b. 1980

American tennis player (born 1980)

Venustiano Carranza

President of Mexico from 1914 to 1920

Vera Atkins

Romanian-born British intelligence officer