Leading Figures in History

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

62243 persons found

Charles Martel

Frankish military and political leader (c. 688–741)

Charles Martel of Anjou

Titular King of Hungary and Croatia

Charles Martin Smith

b. 1953

American actor and director (born 1953)

Charles Martinet

b. 1955

American actor (born 1955)

Charles Maturin

b. 1782

Irish Protestant clergyman and writer (1780–1824)

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord

French secularized clergyman, statesman, and diplomat (1754–1838)

Charles McClendon

b. 1923

American football player and coach (1923–2001)

Charles McLean Andrews

American historian

Charles Merritt

Canadian politician

Charles Messier

b. 1730

18th- and 19th-century French astronomer

Charles Mesure

b. 1970

Australian actor

Charles Michael, Duke of Mecklenburg

b. 1863

Duke of Mecklenburg

Charles Middleton, 1st Baron Barham

Royal Navy officer and politician (1726–1813)

Charles Miller (musician)

b. 1939

American musician (1939–1980)

Charles Mingus

b. 1922

American jazz musician (1922–1979)

Charles Mohun, 4th Baron Mohun of Okehampton

English Army officer and diplomat (1675–1712)

Charles Momsen

b. 1896

US Navy admiral, submarine rescue (1896–1967)

Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax

b. 1661

British politician and poet (1661–1715)

Charles Moore, Baron Moore of Etchingham

b. 1956

English journalist and newspaper editor (born 1956)

Charles Mosley (genealogist)

British genealogist (1948–2013)

Charles Munch (conductor)

b. 1891

French conductor (1891–1968)

Charles N. Sims

b. 1835

American academic administrator (1835–1908)

Charles Nagy

b. 1967

American baseball player (born 1967)

Charles Napier (actor)

American actor (1936–2011)