Leading Figures in History

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

24419 persons found

Hermann Hesse

b. 1877

German writer (1877–1962)

Hermann I, Landgrave of Thuringia

Landgrave of Thuringia and Count Palatine of Saxony (died 1217)

Hermann Minkowski

b. 1864

German mathematician and physicist (1864–1909)

Hermann Müller (politician, born 1876)

b. 1876

Chancellor of Germany (1920, 1928–1930)

Hermann Oberth

b. 1894

Austro-Hungarian-born German physicist and rocketry pioneer (1894–1989)

Hermann Raster

b. 1827

American journalist

Hermann Scherchen

German conductor (1891-1966)

Hermann Schlegel

b. 1804

German ornithologist, herpetologist and ichthyologist

Hermann von Boyen

b. 1771

Prussian army officer

Hermanus Brockmann

b. 1871

Dutch rower (1871–1936)

Hermeto Pascoal

b. 1936

Brazilian jazz musician (1936–2025)

Hermine Braunsteiner

Austrian Nazi concentration camp guard (1919–1999)

Herms Niel

b. 1888

German composer (1888–1954)

Hernán Crespo

b. 1975

Argentine footballer (born 1975)

Hernando de Soto

Spanish explorer and conquistador (c.1479–1542)

Hershel W. Williams

U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient (1923–2022)

Herta Oberheuser

b. 1911

German physician and war criminal (1911–1978)

Hertha Ayrton

b. 1854

English electrical engineer and activist

Herva Nelli

Italian and American soprano (1909–1994)

Hervé Bazin

b. 1911

French writer (1911-1996)

Hervé Le Tellier

b. 1957

French author; winner of the 2020 Prix Goncourt

Hervé Villechaize

b. 1943

French actor (1943–1993)

Heston Blumenthal

b. 1966

English chef (born 1966)

Hetty Green

American financier (1834–1916)