Leading Figures in History

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

62243 persons found

Yaime Pérez

b. 1991

Cuban discus thrower (born 1991)

Yainer Díaz

b. 1998

Dominican baseball player (born 1998)

Yakhouba Diawara

b. 1982

French basketball player (born 1982)

Yakir Aharonov

b. 1932

Israeli physicist (born 1932)

Yakiv Holovatsky

b. 1814

Galician historian and literary scholar

Yakkun Sakurazuka

b. 1976

Japanese comedian and voice actor

Yakov Kulnev

Russian military leader

Yakov Rylsky

b. 1928

Russian fencer (1928–1999)

Yakub Kolas

b. 1882

Belarusian writer

Yakub Memon

b. 1962

Convicted terrorist (1962–2015)

Yakubu Gowon

b. 1934

Military Head of State of Nigeria from 1966 to 1975 (born 1934)

Yamagata Aritomo

b. 1838

Japanese military leader and statesman (1838–1922)

Yamamoto Kansuke (general)

Samurai of the Sengoku period (1501–1561)

Yamini Krishnamurthy

Indian dancer (1940–2024)

Yan Gomes

b. 1987

Brazilian-American baseball player (born 1987)

Yana Kudryavtseva

b. 1997

Russian rhythmic gymnast, World Champion, Olympic silver medalist

Yana Mintoff

b. 1951

Maltese politician and activist (born 1951)

Yandy Díaz

b. 1991

Cuban baseball player (born 1991)

Yang Chen-Ning

b. 1922

Chinese-American physicist (1922–2025)

Yang Cheng (football goalkeeper)

b. 1985

Chinese footballer

Yang Chuan-kwang

b. 1933

Taiwanese decathlete (1933–2007)

Yang Guifei

Tang dynasty imperial consort (719–756)

Yang Hucheng

Chinese general (1893–1949)

Yang Jisheng (Ming dynasty)

b. 1516

Chinese statesman