Leading Figures in History

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

24408 persons found

Joseph Gurney Cannon

b. 1836

American politician (1836–1926)

Joseph Hall (bishop)

b. 1574

British bishop and writer (1574–1656)

Joseph Haydn

Austrian composer (1732–1809)

Joseph Heller

b. 1923

American writer (1923–1999)

Joseph Henry

American physicist and inventor (1797–1878)

Joseph Henry Woodger

b. 1894

Joseph Howard (prime minister)

Prime Minister of Malta (1862–1925)

Joseph Howe

Canadian politician (1804–1873)

Joseph I of Portugal

b. 1714

King of Portugal from 1750 to 1777

Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor

Holy Roman Emperor from 1705 to 1711

Joseph James Fletcher

Australian biologist

Joseph Joachim

b. 1831

Hungarian violinist, composer, and teacher (1831–1907)

Joseph Joubert

French essayist

Joseph Kabila

b. 1971

President of the DR Congo from 2001 to 2019

Joseph Ki-Zerbo

b. 1922

Burkinabé historian, politician and writer

Joseph Krumgold

American writer

Joseph L. Goldstein

b. 1940

American biochemist

Joseph Leidy

American anatomist and paleontologist (1823-1891)

Joseph Losey

American theatre and film director (1909–1984)

Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac

French chemist and physicist (1778–1850)

Joseph Manu

b. 1996

New Zealand and Maori international rugby league footballer

Joseph Marie Jacquard

b. 1752

French weaver, merchant, and inventor (1752–1834)

Joseph Martin Kraus

b. 1756

German–Swedish composer

Joseph Martin Sartoris

b. 1927

American Roman Catholic prelate (1927–2025)