Leading Figures in History

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

21506 persons found

Ayelet Shaked

b. 1976

Israeli politician, activist, and engineer (born 1976)

Ayman al-Zawahiri

b. 1951

Egyptian Islamist militant and physician (1951–2022)

Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke

Anglo-French nobleman (c. 1270 – 1324)

Aymeric Laporte

b. 1994

Footballer (born 1994)

Aymon, Count of Savoy

Italian noble (1291–1343)

Ayrton Senna

Brazilian racing driver (1960–1994)

Ayub Khan

b. 1907

President of Pakistan from 1958 to 1969

Azam Khan (singer)

Bangladeshi singer-songwriter, composer and freedom fighter (1950–2011)

Azealia Banks

b. 1991

American rapper (born 1991)

Azlan Shah of Perak

b. 1928

Yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1989 to 1994

B-Real

b. 1970

American rapper (born 1970)

B. B. King

American blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter (1925–2015)

B. B. Lal

b. 1921

Indian writer and archaeologist (1921–2022)

B. J. Habibie

b. 1936

President of Indonesia from 1998 to 1999

B. J. Thomas

American singer (1942–2021)

B. R. Chopra

b. 1914

Indian film director (1914–2008)

B. S. Chandrasekhar

b. 1945

Indian Cricketer

B. Vittalacharya

Indian film director, producer (1920–1999)

Ba Maw

Burmese leader and independence activist (1893–1977)

Ba U

b. 1887

Former President of Burma

Baal Shem Tov

Polish founder of Hasidic Judaism (1698–1760)

Baba Gana Kingibe

b. 1945

Nigerian diplomat and politician (born 1945)

Baba Nobuharu

Japanese samurai

Babe Adams

b. 1882

American baseball player (1882–1968)