Leading Figures in History

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

21506 persons found

William J. Brennan Jr.

b. 1906

U.S. Supreme Court justice from 1956 to 1990

William J. Casey

Director of Central Intelligence from 1981 to 1987

William James (Australian general)

b. 1930

Soldier and military doctor (1930–2015)

William James Mayo

b. 1861

American surgeon (1861–1939)

William Jay Smith

b. 1918

American writer, translator, editor

William Joseph Browne

b. 1897

Canadian politician (1897–1989)

William Joyce

b. 1906

American-born fascist and propaganda broadcaster (1906–1946)

William Judson Holloway Jr.

American judge

William Juxon

Archbishop of Canterbury from 1660 to 1663

William Kaye Estes

b. 1919

American psychologist (1919–2011)

William Kidd

Scottish privateer (1654–1701)

William Kneale

b. 1906

English logician (1906–1990)

William Lassell

b. 1799

English merchant and astronomer (1799–1880)

William Lawson (explorer)

b. 1774

English born Australian explorer and politician (1774–1850)

William Le Baron Jenney

American architect and engineer

William Levada

b. 1936

American Catholic cardinal (1936–2019)

William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme

English industrialist, philanthropist and politician (1851–1925)

William Lilly

b. 1602

English astrologer

William Lloyd Garrison

American journalist and abolitionist (1805–1879)

William Louis Marshall

b. 1846

United States Army general (1846–1920)

William Louis, Duke of Württemberg

Duke of Württemberg from 1674 to 1677

William Lundigan

b. 1914

American actor (1914–1975)

William M. Roth

American shipping executive and special ambassador for trade

William Macready

English actor (1793–1873)