Leading Figures in History

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

18354 persons found

William Grant Still

b. 1895

American composer (1895–1978)

William Guarnere

b. 1923

US Army soldier

William H. Dana

NASA research pilot and astronaut (1930–2014)

William H. Donaldson

American businessman (1931–2024)

William H. Prescott

b. 1796

American historian and Hispanist (1796–1859)

William H. Seward

b. 1801

American politician (1801–1872)

William H. Seward Jr.

b. 1839

US Army general (1839–1920)

William H. Shockley

American engineer, photographer, and botanist (1855–1925)

William H. Webb

b. 1816

American shipbuilder (1816–1899)

William Hall (VC)

b. 1827

Canadian Royal Navy hero

William Halpenny

b. 1882

Canadian pole vaulter (1882–1960)

William Hanley

American dramatist

William Harrison (priest)

b. 1534

English clergyman, born 1534

William Harvey

English physician (1578–1657)

William Heberden

English physician (1710–1801)

William Henry Barlow

b. 1812

British civil engineer

William Henry Vanderbilt

b. 1821

American businessman (1821–1885)

William Holden

b. 1918

American actor (1918–1981)

William Holman

Australian politician

William Honan

American journalist and author

William Hoyt (athlete)

b. 1875

American pole vaulter (1875–1954)

William Hudson (engineer)

b. 1896

New Zealand–Australian engineer (1896–1978)

William Hunter (anatomist)

b. 1718

Scottish physician (1718–1783)

William I of Sicily

King of Sicily from 1154 to 1166