Leading Figures in History

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

62243 persons found

Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor

b. 1316

Holy Roman Emperor from 1355 to 1378

Charles Ives

American modernist composer (1874–1954)

Charles IX of France

King of France from 1560 to 1574

Charles IX of Sweden

b. 1550

King of Sweden from 1604 to 1611

Charles J. Guiteau

Assassin of James A. Garfield (1841–1882)

Charles J. Pedersen

American organic chemist (1904–1989)

Charles J. Precourt

b. 1955

American astronaut (born 1955)

Charles James Fox

British statesman (1749–1806)

Charles Jamrach

British dealer in wildlife (1815–1891)

Charles Johnson (catcher)

b. 1971

American baseball player (born 1971)

Charles Jordan (magician)

Charles Joseph Bonaparte

b. 1851

American lawyer and political activist (1851–1921)

Charles Joseph Sainte-Claire Deville

French geologist and meteorologist

Charles K. Kao

Hong Kong electrical engineer (1933–2018)

Charles Kamathi

b. 1978

Kenyan long-distance runner (born 1978)

Charles Kay Ogden

b. 1889

British linguist, philosopher and writer (1889-1957)

Charles Keating (actor)

English actor (1941–2014)

Charles Keeping

b. 1924

English illustrator, children's book author and lithographer (1924– 1988)

Charles Kelley

b. 1981

American musician

Charles Kennedy

British politician (1959–2015)

Charles Kilpatrick (athlete)

b. 1874

American distance runner (1874–1921)

Charles Kimbrough

b. 1936

American actor (1936–2023)

Charles Kingsley

b. 1819

English clergyman, historian and novelist (1819–1875)

Charles Kingston

Australian politician (1850–1908)