Leading Figures in History

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

62243 persons found

William Willett

b. 1856

British builder (1856–1915)

William Wilson Morgan

American astronomer

William Windom (actor)

American actor (1923–2012)

William Wirt (attorney general)

b. 1772

American author and politician (1772–1834)

William Wishart

William Wordsworth

English Romantic poet (1770–1850)

William Wotton

b. 1666

English theologian, classical scholar and linguist (1666–1727)

William Wrigley Jr.

b. 1861

American businessman (1861–1932)

William Wyler

b. 1902

German-born American film director (1902–1981)

William Zabka

b. 1965

American actor (born 1965)

William Zillman

b. 1986

Australian rugby league footballer

William Zinsser

b. 1922

American writer (1922–2015)

William Zorach

American sculptor

William, Count of Nassau-Siegen

German count and field marshal of the Dutch States Army (1592–1642)

William, Duke of Austria

Duke of Austria from 1386 to 1406

William, Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg

b. 1516

Duke of Jülich-Cleves-Berg from 1539 to 1592

William, Margrave of Hachberg-Sausenberg

b. 1406

William, Prince of Orange

Dutch prince (1840–1879)

William, Prince of Wales

b. 1982

Heir apparent to the British throne (born 1982)

Williamina Fleming

b. 1857

Scottish astronomer (1857–1911)

Willian (footballer, born 1988)

b. 1988

Brazilian footballer (born 1988)

Willian Pacho

b. 2001

Ecuadorian footballer (born 2001)

Willibald Alexis

b. 1798

German novelist

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

American blues vocalist, harmonica player and drummer (1936–2011)