Leading Figures in History

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

18354 persons found

William Rosenberg

b. 1916

American businessman (1916-2002)

William Russell (English actor)

English actor (1924–2024)

William S. Bowdern

American Catholic exorcist (1897–1983)

William S. Harney

United States Army general (1800–1889)

William S. Sessions

b. 1930

American judge (1930–2020)

William Salmon

b. 1644

17th and 18th-century English empiric doctor

William Saroyan

American writer (1908–1981)

William Scamp

b. 1801

English architect and engineer

William Schallert

American actor (1922-2016)

William Sealy Gosset

b. 1876

British statistician (1876–1937)

William Seawell

United States Air Force general

William Shakespeare

b. 1564

English playwright and poet (1564–1616)

William Shawcross

b. 1946

British writer, lecturer, and broadcaster

William Sloane Coffin

b. 1924

American clergyman and peace activist (1924–2006)

William Standish Knowles

b. 1917

American chemist (1917–2012)

William Stang

b. 1854

German-born American prelate

William Stanier

b. 1876

English railway engineer (1876–1965)

William Stephens (American politician)

American politician (1859–1944)

William Stickney (golfer)

b. 1879

American golfer

William Sturgeon

b. 1783

English electrical engineer and inventor (1783–1850)

William Styron

b. 1925

American writer (1925–2006)

William Talbot, 1st Earl Talbot

British politician (1710–1782)

William Tate (painter)

English painter (1747–1806)

William the Silent

b. 1533

Dutch statesman and revolt leader (1533–1584)