Search Britannica

Biographies

Featured

James V, detail of a painting by an unknown artist, c. 1540; at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire

king of Scotland

James V, king of Scotland from 1513 to 1542. During…

Horatio Gates, detail of an engraving.

United States general

Horatio Gates, English-born American general in the…

Matthew C. Perry, between 1854 and 1858.

Matthew C. Perry

United States naval officer

Matthew C. Perry, U.S. naval officer who headed an…

Max von Sydow in The Reward (1965).

Max von Sydow, Swedish actor who was perhaps best known…

Browse Categories

arts, visual

Peter Paul Rubens, self-portrait in oil, c. 1639; in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. — Peter Paul RubensFlemish artist

View People Known for

education

Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier. — Antoine LavoisierFrench chemist

View People Known for

entertainment

Spielberg, Steven — Steven SpielbergAmerican film director and producer

View People Known for

history and society

Milton, John — John MiltonEnglish poet

View People Known for

literature

Francis Bacon, oil painting by an unknown artist; in the National Portrait Gallery, London. — Francis BaconBritish author, philosopher, and statesman

View People Known for

philosophy and religion

Martin Luther, oil on panel by Lucas Cranach, 1529; in the Uffizi, Florence. — Martin LutherGerman religious leader

View People Known for

sciences

Francis Bacon, oil painting by an unknown artist; in the National Portrait Gallery, London. — Francis BaconBritish author, philosopher, and statesman

View People Known for

sports and recreation

Ruth, Babe — Babe RuthAmerican baseball player

View People Known for

technology

Leonardo da Vinci: self-portrait — Leonardo da VinciItalian artist, engineer, and scientist

View People Known for

×

Britannica Celebrates 100 Women Trailblazers