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 Beginning with V
Use the filters on the right to narrow the figure index while keeping the main results in view.
3 results
Vasco da Gama
1460–1524Medieval PeriodEuropePortugal
He sailed round Africa to India, arrived with a fleet and a list of demands, and opened a trade route that made Portugal briefly the richest country in the world.
Open profile →
Vladimir Lenin
1870–1924Industrial AgeEuropeRussia
He spent years writing in exile about a revolution that never seemed to come — and when it finally arrived in 1917, he seized it so completely that his version became the only one that survived.
Open profile →
Vladimir Putin
1952–?Modern HistoryEuropeRussia
He came to power promising stability and order, and has remained in power long enough that the question of what Russia looks like without him has become genuinely difficult to answer.
Open profile →