All the People

If you just want to see the people in our database you can browse them here.

Wilhelm Wattenbach

Historian and academic of German history
Born
September 22nd, 1819 206 years ago
Died
1897 128 years ago — 78 years old

Born in 1819, a prominent historian and academic specialized in German history, particularly the Middle Ages. Contributed to the research and understanding of historical manuscripts and the Latin language. His work focused on the medieval period's primary sources and their importance in historical scholarship. Wattenbach wrote extensively, producing several significant texts that became foundational in the study of historical documents and sources. His analyses of documents have aided historians in grasping the context and evolution of medieval society.

Continue Reading

Wilhelm Wien

German physicist and Nobel Prize laureate
Born
January 13th, 1864 161 years ago
Died
August 30th, 1928 97 years ago — 64 years old

An acclaimed German physicist recognized for contributions to theoretical and experimental physics. Developed Wien's displacement law, which describes the relationship between the temperature of a black body and the wavelength at which it emits the most radiation. The pioneering work in thermodynamics and his research on the kinetic theory of gases contributed significantly to the field. Received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1911 for his work on the laws governing the emission of radiation from heated bodies.

Continue Reading

Wilhelm Wirtinger

Mathematician and theory creator
Born
July 15th, 1865 160 years ago
Died
January 15th, 1945 80 years ago — 79 years old

Worked primarily in the field of mathematics, contributing significantly to the development of complex analysis and topology. Established the Wirtinger theorem, which aids in the study of functions of complex variables. Contributed to the theory of differential equations and mathematical physics. Published numerous papers and worked on various mathematical problems during his career, influencing subsequent research in these areas.

Continue Reading

Wilhelm Wundt

Psychologist and founder of psychology
Born
August 16th, 1832 193 years ago
Died
August 31st, 1920 105 years ago — 88 years old

This individual established psychology as a distinct scientific discipline separate from philosophy and physiology. In 1879, founded the first experimental psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, marking the formal beginning of psychology as a science. Developed the method of introspection for studying conscious experience, contributing to the establishment of experimental psychology. Authored numerous works, including 'Principles of Physiological Psychology,' which provided a comprehensive overview of the nature and structure of psychology.

Continue Reading

Wilhelm Xylander

German scholar and translator of classics
Born
December 26th, 1532 492 years ago
Died
February 10th, 1576 449 years ago — 43 years old

Contributed significantly to the study of classical texts and languages. Xylander translated works from Greek and Latin into German, making them more accessible to the scholarly community and students. His efforts included translations of well-known classical authors and philosophers, which facilitated the spread of humanist ideas in Germany during the Renaissance period. Xylander also held academic positions in various institutions, influencing the education of future scholars.

Continue Reading

Wilhelm Zaisser

German soldier and politician
Born
June 20th, 1893 132 years ago
Died
1958 67 years ago — 65 years old

Born in 1893, the individual served in the military during World War I. Post-war, the person became involved in politics, joining the Socialist Unity Party of Germany. From 1949 until 1954, held the position of Minister of State Security in East Germany, overseeing the Stasi, the official state security service. This role included significant influence in shaping the security and surveillance strategies of the East German government during the Cold War.

Continue Reading

Wilin Rosario

Professional baseball catcher
Born
February 23rd, 1989 36 years ago

A professional baseball catcher with a significant career in Major League Baseball. Played primarily for the Colorado Rockies, showcasing talents as a strong hitter and defensive player. Also played in the Dominican Professional Baseball League. Contributed to the Rockies during several seasons, garnering attention for both batting power and fielding skills.

Continue Reading

Wilkie Collins

English novelist and playwright
Born
January 8th, 1824 201 years ago
Died
September 23rd, 1889 136 years ago — 65 years old

An English novelist, playwright, and short story writer contributed significantly to the development of the mystery and detective fiction genres. Collin's most notable work includes the novel 'The Woman in White', published in 1859, which is often regarded as one of the earliest mystery novels. 'Armadale', released in 1866, further established his reputation as a master of suspense. He collaborated closely with fellow author Charles Dickens, sometimes contributing to Dickens's periodicals. Collins also served as a playwright, writing several successful plays during his career, such as 'The Frozen Deep'. His writing style often featured complex narratives and unreliable narrators, influencing many future authors.

Continue Reading

Wilko de Vogt

Dutch footballer and team player
Born
September 17th, 1975 50 years ago

A professional footballer from the Netherlands, played primarily as a midfielder. De Vogt had a lengthy career in professional football, representing multiple clubs during his tenure. Most notably, played for FC Groningen in the Eredivisie, contributing to the team's performance in the league during the 1990s. De Vogt also had an impactful spell at FC Emmen, where he was influential in the club's campaigns. His style of play was characterized by tactical awareness and dedication on the field.

Continue Reading

Willa Beatrice Player

American educator and college president
Born
August 9th, 1909 116 years ago
Died
2003 22 years ago — 94 years old

An influential figure in higher education, served as the first Black woman to hold the position of college president in the United States. Played a significant role in advancing educational access and opportunities for Black students. Contributed to the establishment of various academic programs aimed at supporting underrepresented communities in academia. Advocated for equity and inclusion within the educational system throughout her career.

Continue Reading

Willa Cather

American novelist and short story writer
Born
December 7th, 1873 151 years ago
Died
April 24th, 1947 78 years ago — 73 years old

Born in 1873, this individual was an influential American novelist, celebrated for contributions to literature focusing on life on the Great Plains. The written works often explored themes of identity, belonging, and the human experience. Major works include 'My Ántonia' and 'O Pioneers!', which depict the struggles and triumphs of settlers in Nebraska. The author received several accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1923 for 'One of Ours', reflecting the deep connection to her home state and the rural American experience.

Continue Reading

Willa Fitzgerald

American actress in 'Scream' series
Born
January 17th, 1991 34 years ago

An actress active in film and television, gained recognition through roles in popular series. Achieved prominence for a leading role in the television adaptation of 'Scream'. Also starred in the series 'Greenhouse Academy', showcasing versatility in characters across different genres. Participated in various theater productions, which further honed acting skills. Involved in projects that reflect contemporary issues.

Continue Reading