Leading Figures in History

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

18354 persons found

William Dampier

b. 1651

English explorer, pirate, privateer and naturalist (1651–1715)

William de Braose (died 1230)

13th-century Welsh nobleman

William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk

15th-century English noble

William de Warenne, 5th Earl of Surrey

English nobleman and royal official

William Dean Howells

American author, critic, and playwright (1837–1920)

William Debenham

b. 1794

British businessman

William Douglas Cook

New Zealand writer

William Eccles (physicist)

English physicist (1875–1966)

William Emerson (mathematician)

b. 1701

English mathematician

William Eustis

b. 1753

American physician, politician, and diplomat (1753–1825)

William Ewart Gladstone

British statesman (1809–1898)

William F. Albright

b. 1891

American archaeologist and biblical scholar (1891–1971)

William F. Halsey Sr.

United States Navy officer

William F. Nast

b. 1840

American diplomat and entrepreneur

William Fargo

b. 1818

American businessman and politician (1818–1881)

William Fox (producer)

Hungarian-American film producer (1879–1952)

William Funnell (public servant)

b. 1891

Australian public servant (1891–1962)

William George Beers

b. 1843

Canadian dentist and lacrosse player

William Giauque

b. 1895

Canadian-born American chemist

William Gilbert (physicist)

b. 1544

English physician and natural philosopher (1544?-1603)

William Gillette

American manager and playwright

William Glackens

American painter (1870–1938)

William Golding

British novelist, poet, and playwright (1911–1993)

William Grant Stairs

Canadian-British explorer, soldier, and adventurer