Leading Figures in History

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

39104 persons found

Charles Simon Favart

French playwright and theatre director (1710–1792)

Charles Sladen

b. 1816

Australian politician (1816–1884)

Charles Snead Houston

b. 1913

American mountain climber (1913–2009)

Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer

b. 1964

British peer (born 1964)

Charles Spurgeon

b. 1834

British preacher, author, pastor and evangelist (1834–1892)

Charles Starkweather

American spree killer (1938–1959)

Charles Stewart Mott

b. 1875

American businessman and politician (1875–1973)

Charles Stewart Parnell

b. 1846

Irish politician (1846–1891)

Charles Sturridge

b. 1951

English director and screenwriter

Charles Sturt

Australian explorer (1795–1869)

Charles Sumner Tainter

b. 1854

American inventor and businessman (1854–1940)

Charles Sweeney

United States Air Force general (1919 – 2004)

Charles T. Payne

American World War II soldier (1925–2014)

Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury

b. 1660

British statesman (1660–1718)

Charles Tennant

b. 1768

Scottish chemist and industrialist (1768–1838)

Charles the Bald

b. 823

King of West Francia from 843 to 877 and Carolingian Emperor from 875 to 877

Charles the Fat

b. 839

Carolingian emperor from 881 to 887

Charles Thomas Jackson

b. 1805

American physician and scientist (1805–1880)

Charles Townshend

b. 1725

British politician (1725–1767)

Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend

British Whig statesman (1674–1738)

Charles Tristan, marquis de Montholon

b. 1783

French general during the Napoleonic Wars

Charles Tupper

b. 1821

Father of Confederation, Prime Minister of Canada in 1896

Charles Van Acker

Belgian–American racing driver (1912–1998)

Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry

b. 1778

Anglo-Irish soldier (1778–1854)