People
Historical Figures and Influential People in History
Explore rulers, generals, thinkers, scientists and reformers who shaped world history. Search for a specific person, or browse by era, region, country and A–Z.
Historical Figures from Europe
Use the filters on the right to narrow the figure index while keeping the main results in view.
7 results
Charlemagne
742–814Medieval PeriodFrance
He could barely read but built an empire that stretched across western Europe — and the coronation that defined his legacy was apparently a surprise even to him.
Open profile →
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey
1764–1845Industrial AgeUnited Kingdom
He spent decades pressing for political reform, then as prime minister forced through the 1832 Reform Act and helped redraw the rules of British public life.
Open profile →
Charles III
1948–?Modern HistoryUnited Kingdom
He waited longer to become king than almost anyone in British history — and arrived on the throne with decades of opinions about the world already fully formed.
Open profile →
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham
1730–1782Early Modern EraUnited Kingdom
He twice became prime minister during a turbulent imperial crisis, pushing for reconciliation with American colonies while trying to restrain royal influence over British politics.
Open profile →
Christopher Columbus
1451–1506Medieval PeriodItaly
He sailed west to reach the east, miscalculated the size of the earth, and stumbled onto a continent — then spent the rest of his life denying it was there.
Open profile →
Clement Attlee
1883–1967Industrial AgeUnited Kingdom
He quietly reshaped Britain after war, building a welfare state and national health system that changed everyday life more deeply than many louder leaders ever managed.
Open profile →
Constantine the Great
272–337Classical WorldItaly
He converted to Christianity on the eve of battle, won the battle, and spent the rest of his reign trying to work out what that meant for an empire built on other gods.
Open profile →