Leading Figures in History

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

62243 persons found

Willow Smith

b. 2000

American musician (born 2000)

Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire

b. 1718

British politician (1718–1793)

Willson Contreras

b. 1992

Venezuelan baseball player (born 1992)

Willy Adames

b. 1995

Dominican baseball infielder (born 1995)

Willy Alberti

b. 1926

Dutch singer (1926–1985)

Willy Brandt

Chancellor of West Germany from 1969 to 1974

Willy Caballero

b. 1981

Argentine association football player

Willy DeVille

American singer-songwriter (1950–2009)

Willy Fritsch

German-Silesian actor (1901-1973)

Willy Hartner

German scientist and polymath

Willy Hess (violinist)

b. 1859

German violinist (1859-1939)

Willy Ley

German and American writer (1906–1969)

Willy Mairesse

Belgian racing driver (1928–1969)

Willy Merkl

b. 1900

German mountain climber (1900–1934)

Willy Messerschmitt

b. 1898

German aircraft designer and manufacturer (1898–1978)

Willy Rampf

b. 1953

German car engineer (born 1953)

Willy Rey

b. 1949

Canadian model (born 1949)

Willy Ronis

b. 1910

French photographer

Willy Russell

b. 1947

British dramatist, lyricist and composer

Willy Stöwer

b. 1864

German painter (1864–1931)

Willy Vandersteen

Flemish comics author (1913–1990)

Wilma Elles

b. 1986

German actress, model and fashion designer

Wilma Rudolph

b. 1940

American athlete (1940–1994)

Wilma Salgado

b. 1952

Ecuadorian politician and economist