Leading Figures in History

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

18354 persons found

William Thomson Sloper

William Thornton

b. 1759

American inventor and architect (1759–1828)

William Tilbury Fox

English dermatologist

William Tite

English architect (1798–1873)

William Tolbert

b. 1913

President of Liberia from 1971 to 1980

William Trevor

b. 1928

Irish writer (1928-2016)

William Van Regenmorter

American politician

William VI, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

b. 1629

Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel

William W. Snow

b. 1812

American politician

William Walker (filibuster)

b. 1824

American physician, lawyer, journalist, and mercenary (1824–1860)

William Warburton

English writer and critic (1698–1779)

William Watson (scientist)

English physician and scientist (1715–1787)

William Whewell

b. 1794

English polymath (1794–1866)

William Wishart

William Wordsworth

English Romantic poet (1770–1850)

William, Prince of Orange

Dutch prince (1840–1879)

Williamina Fleming

b. 1857

Scottish astronomer (1857–1911)

Willie Applegarth

b. 1890

English sprinter (1890–1958)

Willie Colón

b. 1950

American musician (1950–2026)

Willie Davenport

b. 1943

American athlete and bobsledder (1943–2002)

Willie Geist

b. 1975

American television personality (born 1975)

Willie John McBride

b. 1940

Irish rugby union player

Willie Mays

b. 1931

American baseball player (1931–2024)

Willie Miller

b. 1955

Scottish footballer & manager (born 1955)