Leading Figures in History

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

24408 persons found

Vasilis Kikilias

b. 1974

Greek politician and basketball player

Vasilis Torosidis

b. 1985

Greek footballer (born 1985)

Vasiliy Kaptyukh

b. 1967

Belarusian discus thrower (born 1967)

Vasily Aksyonov

Soviet and Russian novelist (1932–2009)

Vasily Petrenko

b. 1976

Russian-British conductor

Vasily Tatishchev

b. 1686

Russian historian and statesman (1686–1750)

Vasily Zhukovsky

Russian poet (1783–1852)

Vasko Popa

b. 1922

Serbian poet (1922–1991)

Vassilis Constantakopoulos

b. 1935

Greek entrepreneur (1935–2011)

Vassilis Karapialis

b. 1965

Greek footballer (born 1965)

Vasyl Velychkovsky

b. 1903

Ukrainian bishop and martyr (1903–1973)

Vatroslav Jagić

b. 1838

Croatian Slavist (1838–1923)

Vaughn Monroe

American singer (1911–1973)

Vecchietta

Italian painter (1410–1480)

Veijo Meri

Finnish writer

Veikko Uusimäki

Finnish actor

Velimir Khlebnikov

Russian playwright, poet and futurist (1885-1922)

Velma Caldwell Melville

b. 1858

American editor and writer (1858–1924)

Veloso (Brazilian footballer)

b. 1983

Brazilian footballer

Velupillai Prabhakaran

Leader of militant Tamil organisation in Sri Lanka (1954–2009)

Venerius (bishop of Milan)

Roman Catholic Saint; Archbishop of Milan from 400 (or 401) to 408

Veniamin Kaverin

b. 1902

Soviet and Russian writer, dramatist and screenwriter

Venkaiah Naidu

b. 1949

Vice President of India from 2017 to 2022

Venus Williams

b. 1980

American tennis player (born 1980)