Leading Figures in History

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

24415 persons found

Jane Avril

b. 1868

French can-can dancer (1868–1943)

Jane Bathori

b. 1877

French mezzo-soprano (1877–1970)

Jane Birdwood, Baroness Birdwood

b. 1913

British far-right political activist

Jane Bowles

American writer and playwright

Jane Byrne

b. 1933

American politician (1933–2014)

Jane Campion

b. 1954

New Zealand filmmaker (born 1954)

Jane Elizabeth Conklin

b. 1831

American journalist

Jane Frank

American painter and sculptor (1918–1986)

Jane Froman

American actress (1907–1980)

Jane Harman

b. 1945

American politician (born 1945)

Jane Henson

b. 1934

American puppeteer (1934–2013)

Jane Jacobs

American–Canadian journalist, author, and activist (1916–2006)

Jane Kenyon

American poet, translator

Jane Leeves

b. 1961

English actress

Jane McAlevey

American labor organizer and author (1964–2024)

Jane Miller Thengberg

b. 1822

Swedish-Scottish teacher

Jane Moore

b. 1962

English journalist and television personality (born 1962)

Jane Parker-Smith

b. 1950

British classical organist (1950–2020)

Jane Russell

b. 1921

American actress, model, and singer (1921–2011)

Jane Wiedlin

b. 1958

American musician and actress (born 1958)

Janet Blair

b. 1921

American singer and actress (1921–2007)

Janet Dailey

b. 1944

American writer

Janet Evanovich

b. 1943

American writer

Janet Fish

b. 1938

American painter (1938–2025)