Leading Figures in History

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

21506 persons found

Aster Berkhof

b. 1920

Belgian writer (1920–2020)

Aston Webb

b. 1849

English architect (1849–1930)

Astrid Varnay

b. 1918

American operatic soprano (1918–2006)

Astrud Gilberto

Brazilian singer (1940–2023)

Atanas Semerdzhiev

Athanase David

b. 1882

Canadian politician (1882–1953)

Athanase Josué Coquerel

b. 1820

French theologian & author

Athanasius Kircher

b. 1601

German Jesuit scholar and polymath (1602–1680)

Athanassios Fokas

b. 1952

Greek mathematician (born 1952)

Athena Manoukian

b. 1994

Greek singer and songwriter (born 1994)

Athene Donald

b. 1953

British physicist

Athol Fugard

b. 1932

South African playwright (1932–2025)

Atiqul Haque Chowdhury

Atıf Yılmaz

Turkish film director (1925–2006)

Atle Selberg

b. 1917

Norwegian mathematician (1917–2007)

Atsuhiro Inukai

b. 1994

Japanese actor (born 1994)

Atticus Shaffer

b. 1998

American actor (born 1998)

Attilâ İlhan

b. 1925

Turkish poet, novelist, essayist, journalist and reviewer (1925–2005)

Attilio Bertolucci

Italian poet and writer (1911–2000)

Attilio Bettega

Italian rally driver (1953–1985)

Atul Chitnis

Aubrey de Vere, 10th Earl of Oxford

Son of John de Vere, 7th Earl of Oxford (c. 1338–1400)

Aubrey Plaza

b. 1984

American actress and producer (born 1984)

Audie Murphy

American soldier and actor (1925–1971)