Leading Figures in History

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

24408 persons found

Ellis Marsalis Sr.

b. 1908

American businessman

Ellison Onizuka

b. 1946

American astronaut and engineer (1946–1986)

Ellsworth Kelly

b. 1923

American painter, sculptor, and printmaker

Ellyn Kaschak

b. 1943

American psychologist (1943-2025

Elmar Lohk

b. 1901

Estonian architect (1901–1963)

Elmer Ambrose Sperry

American industrialist (1860–1930)

Elmer E. Ellsworth

United States Army officer

Elmer Gedeon

American baseball player (1917–1944)

Elmer Kelton

b. 1926

American journalist and writer

Elmer L. Andersen

b. 1909

American politician (1909–2004)

Elmo Hope

b. 1923

American jazz pianist, composer and arranger (1923–1967)

Elmore James

American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and bandleader (1918–1963)

Eloísa Díaz

b. 1866

Chilean physician (1866–1950)

Elon Musk

b. 1971

Businessman and public official (born 1971)

Elroy Hirsch

b. 1923

American football player and executive (1923–2004)

Elroy Schwartz

American writer

Els Aarne

Estonian composer and pianist (1917–1995)

Elsa Beskow

Swedish artist (1874–1953)

Elsa Lystad

b. 1930

Norwegian actress (1930–2023)

Elsie Eaves

b. 1898

American engineer

Elsie Quarterman

American plant ecologist (1910–2014)

Elsie Tu

b. 1913

Hong Kong activist and politician (1913–2015)

Elton Britt

b. 1913

American singer-songwriter

Elvin Jones

American jazz drummer (1927–2004)