W

Historical Figures — W

186 people whose names start with “W”

Athlete(29)actor(9)Musician(8)Actor(4)solid-state physicist(2)aviation pioneer(2)

W. C. HandyMusician W. G. GraceAthlete W. O. Bentleyengineer W. S. Gilbertdramatist, poet and illustrator W.E.B. Du Boissociologist and activist Wade BoggsAthlete Wallace Beeryactor Wallis SimpsonWife of Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor Wally GroutAthlete Walt Disneyanimator, producer and entrepreneur Walt FrazierAthlete Walt Whitmanpoet, essayist and journalist Walter Alstonbaseball player and manager Walter BeckerMusician Walter ChryslerAthlete Walter Cronkitebroadcast journalist Walter Hagenprofessional golfer Walter Houser Brattainsolid-state physicist Walter Huntmechanic and inventor Walter JohnsonAthlete Walter KerrActor Walter KnottKnott's Berry Farm founder Walter Lippmannjournalist Walter Mittelholzeraviation pioneer Walter Mondale Walter PaytonAthlete Walter PistonMusician Walter Pitts Walter Raleighstatesman and explorer Walter Scottnovelist Walter Ulbricht Wanda Sykescomedian and actress Wang Dan Wang Hongwenpolitician and activist Wangari MaathaiKenyan environmental activist Warner Baxteractor Warren Beattyactor and filmmaker Warren Buffettinvestor and philanthropist Warren G. Harding Warren SpahnAthlete Warren SpectorActor Washington Irvingwriter, historian, and diplomat Wasim AkramAthlete Waylon Jenningscountry musician Wayne BradyTV host and actor Wayne GradyAthlete Wayne GretzkyAthlete Wayne RooneyAthlete Weird Al Yankoviccomedy musician Wendy Wassersteinplaywright Werner Heisenbergtheoretical physicist Werner von Siemenselectrical engineer, inventor and industrialist Wernher von BraunGerman-American aerospace engineer Wes Bentleyactor Wes Cravenfilmmaker Wes FerrellAthlete Wes UnseldAthlete Wesley Snipesactor Whipper Billy WatsonActor Whitey Bulgergangster and crime boss Whitey Fordbaseball player Whitney Houstonsinger and actress Whoopi Goldbergactor, comedian, and television personality Wilbur Wright Wild Bill Hickokfolk hero and lawman Wilder Penfield Wiley Post Wilfred BaddeleyAthlete Wilfred BenítezAthlete Wilfred Owenpoet and soldier Wilfrid Laurier Wilhelm Grimmauthor Wilhelm I Wilhelm II Wilhelm Keitelfield marshal Wilhelm Röntgenexperimental physicist Wilhelmina of the Netherlands Will Duranthistorian, philosopher and writer Will Ferrellactor and comedian Will Keith Kelloggbusinessman Will Rogershumorist and entertainer Will Smithactor and rapper Will WrightActor will.i.amMusician Willard Libbyphysical chemist Willem-Alexander William Allen William B. CushingUnited States Navy officer William Beaumontphysician William BeveridgeLiberal politician, economist, and social reformer William Blackstonejurist, judge, and politician William Blakepoet and artist William BlighRoyal Navy officer and colonial administrator William Boeingaviation pioneer William BoothMethodist preacher and founder of The Salvation Army William BradfordSeparatist leader William Cavendish-Bentinck William Caxtonmerchant and printer William Clarkexplorer and territorial governor William Dampierscientist, pirate and explorer William EckertAthlete William Ernest Henleypoet, critic and editor William Faulknerwriter and novelist William George Barker William Gladstonestatesman William Goldingnovelist, poet, and playwright William Grenville William H. Macyactor William H. Sewardpolitician William H. Websterattorney and jurist William Hannaanimator William Henry Fox Talbotphotography pioneer William Henry Harrison William HerschelGerman-British astronomer and composer William Holdenactor William Howard Taft William HoweArmy officer and politician William Hurtactor William Huskissonstatesman, financier and MP William I of Orangestatesman and revolt leader William III William J. Casey William Jamesphilosopher and psychologist William Jennings Bryanpolitician William JoyceAmerican-born fascist and propaganda broadcaster William Kidd William Lamb William LarnedAthlete William Lipscombchemist William Lloyd Garrisonjournalist and abolitionist William LyonsCo-founder of Jaguar Cars William McKinley William Pennwriter and religious thinker William Peter Blattywriter and filmmaker William Petty William Pitt the Elder William Pitt the Youngerstatesman William Ramsaychemist William Randolph Hearstnewspaper publisher William S. Burroughswriter and visual artist William Safirejournalist and presidential speechwriter William Shakespeareplaywright and poet William Shatneractor William Shockleysolid-state physicist William Tecumseh ShermanUnited States Army general William the ConquerorKing of England from 1066 to 1087 William Thomsonphysicist, engineer and mathematician William Wallaceknight William WestmorelandUnited States Army general William Wilberforcepolitician and abolitionist William WordsworthRomantic poet William WylerGerman-born American filmmaker Willie DavisAthlete Willie MaysAthlete Willie McCoveyAthlete Willie NelsonMusician Willie Park Sr.Athlete Willie RandolphAthlete Willie StargellAthlete Willie Suttonbank robber Willis Carrierinventor Willis ReedAthlete Willow Smithsinger Willy Brandt Wilma MankillerCherokee Nation chief and activist Wilma RudolphAthlete Wilson Pickettsinger and songwriter Wilt ChamberlainAthlete Winnie MandelaAfrican activist and politician Winona Ryderactress Winston Churchillstatesman and writer Witold Pileckimilitary officer Wladimir KlitschkoAthlete Wojciech Jaruzelski Wole Soyinka Wolfe Tonerevolutionary figure Wolfgang Amadeus MozartMusician Wolfgang GüllichAthlete Woodrow Wilson Woody Allenfilmmaker, writer and actor Woody GuthrieMusician Woody Harrelsonactor Woody Strodeathlete and actor Wright BrothersInventors & Aviation Pioneers Wyatt Earplawman Wynonna JuddMusician

Frequently Asked Questions

How many historical figures start with the letter W?: We have 186 historical figures whose names begin with W, out of 5,637 total people in our database.
What professions are represented among people starting with W?: The most common roles include Athlete (29), actor (9), Musician (8), Actor (4), solid-state physicist (2), aviation pioneer (2).