Leading Figures in History

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

39104 persons found

Charles Wriothesley

b. 1508

16th-century officer of arms at College of Arms

Charles Wuorinen

b. 1938

American composer (1938–2020)

Charles Wyndham, 2nd Earl of Egremont

British statesman

Charles XII of Sweden

b. 1682

King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718

Charles XV

b. 1826

King of Sweden and Norway from 1859 to 1872

Charles Zwolsman Jr.

b. 1979

Dutch racing driver

Charles-Amédée Kohler

b. 1790

Swiss chocolate maker and inventor (1790–1874)

Charles-André van Loo

French painter (1705–1765)

Charles-Augustin de Coulomb

b. 1736

French physicist (1736–1806)

Charles-Denis Bourbaki

b. 1816

French soldier and officer (1816–1897)

Charles-Édouard Guillaume

Swiss physicist (1861–1938)

Charles-François Lebrun

French nobleman, lawyer and statesman (1739–1824)

Charles-François Tiphaigne de la Roche

French novelist (1722-1774)

Charles-François-Frédéric, marquis de Montholon-Sémonville

Charles-Jean de La Vallée Poussin

b. 1866

Belgian mathematician (1866–1962)

Charles-Léon Hammes

b. 1898

Charles-Louis Hanon

b. 1819

French piano teacher and composer (1819–1900)

Charles-Pierre Augereau

French military officer (1757–1816)

Charles, Cardinal de Bourbon (born 1523)

French cardinal

Charles, Duke of Berry (1686–1714)

b. 1686

Duke of Berry

Charles, Duke of Vendôme

b. 1489

16th-century French prince and governor

Charles, Prince of Soubise

French Royal Army officer and courtier (1715–1787)

Charles, Prince of Viana

b. 1421

Claimed king of Navarre from 1441 to 1461

Charley Paddock

American athlete (1900–1943)