Leading Figures in History

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

21513 persons found

Maximilian, Prince of Dietrichstein

b. 1596

Prince of Dietrichstein

Maximilien Robespierre

b. 1758

French revolutionary, lawyer and politician (1758–1794)

Maxine Kumin

b. 1925

American poet and author (1925–2014)

Maxine Sullivan

b. 1911

American jazz vocalist (1911–1987)

Maxwell (musician)

b. 1973

American R&B singer (born 1973)

May Allison

b. 1890

American actress (1890–1989)

May Andersen

b. 1982

Danish model

May Hollinworth

b. 1895

Australian theatrical producer and director

May Irwin

b. 1862

Canadian-American actress and singer

May Jordan McConnel

Australian trade unionist and suffragist

May Sarton

b. 1912

Belgian and American writer (1912–1995)

May Whitty

English actress (1865–1948)

Maya Angelou

American writer and activist (1928–2014)

Maya Deren

b. 1917

American filmmaker (1917–1961)

Maya Dunietz

b. 1981

Israeli musical artist

Maya Moore

b. 1989

American basketball player (born 1989)

Maya Plisetskaya

Russian ballet dancer (1925–2015)

Mayar Sherif

b. 1996

Egyptian tennis player (born 1996)

Maybelle Carter

b. 1909

American country musician (1909–1978)

Maymay Entrata

b. 1997

Filipino actress and singer (born 1997)

Maynard Ferguson

b. 1928

Canadian jazz trumpeter and bandleader (1928–2006)

Maynard James Keenan

b. 1964

American singer (born 1964)

Maynor Figueroa

b. 1983

Honduran footballer (born 1983)

Mayte Martínez

b. 1976

Spanish athletics competitor (born 1976)