Leading Figures in History

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

39104 persons found

Charles Vanel

b. 1892

French actor and director (1892–1989)

Charles VII of France

King of France from 1422 to 1461

Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor

b. 1697

Holy Roman Emperor from 1742 to 1745

Charles VIII of France

b. 1470

King of France from 1483 to 1498

Charles W. Bagnal

United States Army general

Charles W. Chesnutt

b. 1858

African-American writer, activist, and lawyer (1858–1932)

Charles W. Fairbanks

b. 1852

Vice President of the United States from 1905 to 1909

Charles W. Pickering

b. 1937

American judge (born 1937)

Charles W. Woodworth

b. 1865

American entomologist (1865–1940)

Charles Wang

b. 1944

Chinese-American computer company businessman and billionaire (1944–2018)

Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham

b. 1730

Prime Minister of Great Britain (1765–1766; 1782)

Charles Webb (author)

b. 1939

American writer (1939–2020)

Charles Wellesley, 9th Duke of Wellington

b. 1945

British peer and politician (born 1945)

Charles Wells (brewer)

b. 1842

British brewer (1842–1914)

Charles Werner

American cartoonist (1909–1997)

Charles Weston, 3rd Earl of Portland

b. 1639

Charles Wheeler (journalist)

British journalist and broadcaster

Charles Whitman

American mass murderer (1941–1966)

Charles William Eliot

American academic (1834–1926)

Charles William Miller

Brazilian sportsman (1874–1953)

Charles Williams (British writer)

British writer, theologian, and literary critic (1886-1945)

Charles Wood (composer)

Irish composer (1866–1926)

Charles Wood (playwright)

b. 1932

British playwright and scriptwriter (1932–2020)

Charles Wright (poet)

b. 1935

American writer; University of Virginia professor