All the People

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

William Rowan Hamilton

Irish physicist and mathematician
Born
August 4th, 1805 220 years ago
Died
September 2nd, 1865 160 years ago — 60 years old

Born in 1805, made significant contributions to classical mechanics and optics. Developed Hamiltonian mechanics, which reformulated Newtonian mechanics. Introduced quaternions, which represented the extension of complex numbers to a four-dimensional space. Served as the Astronomical Observator at the Dunsink Observatory in Dublin. Published important works in mathematical physics and played a pivotal role in the development of modern algebra.

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William Royer

American soldier and politician
Born
April 11th, 1920 105 years ago
Died
2013 12 years ago — 93 years old

Served in the United States Army during World War II, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Participated in significant campaigns in Europe, contributing to key military operations. Transitioned to a political career after military service, holding various elected positions. Represented the interests of constituents and advocated for veteran affairs throughout tenure in public office.

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William R. Pogue

American astronaut and Skylab crew member
Born
1930 95 years ago
Died
March 3rd, 2014 11 years ago — 84 years old

Served as a United States Air Force colonel, pilot, and NASA astronaut. Flew on the Skylab space station as a member of the Skylab 4 crew, which set a record for the longest spaceflight at that time. Conducted extensive scientific research during the mission, focusing on solar observations and experiments in materials science. Pogue's participation in space missions contributed to the understanding of long-duration human spaceflight.

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William R. Roy

Physician, journalist, and politician
Born
1926 99 years ago
Died
May 26th, 2014 11 years ago — 88 years old

Served as a physician and contributed to medical practice while also engaging in journalism and politics. Held a significant role in the Kansas State Senate, contributing to various health-related policies. Worked as a reporter and editor, providing insights on health issues through various publications. Participated actively in community health initiatives and served in leadership positions within medical associations.

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William R. Tolbert Jr.

Liberian politician and president
Born
May 13th, 1913 112 years ago
Died
April 12th, 1980 45 years ago — 66 years old

Served as the 20th President of Liberia from 1971 until his assassination in 1980. Focused on agricultural reform and education during presidency. Attempted to improve relations with the United States and sought to attract foreign investment to Liberia. His administration faced criticisms regarding human rights and freedom of expression, eventually leading to political unrest. Overthrown in a military coup, which marked a significant turning point in Liberian history.

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William Russ

Actor and director, notable for 'Boy Meets World'
Born
October 20th, 1950 75 years ago

An American actor and director, recognized for work in television and film. Portrayed the character Alan Matthews in the television series 'Boy Meets World', which aired from 1993 to 2000. Acted in various roles in films and series throughout the 1980s and 1990s, contributing to both drama and comedy genres. Directed episodes of 'Boy Meets World' and engaged in several other projects, showcasing versatility in both acting and direction.

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William Russell

American politician, 37th Governor of Massachusetts
Born
January 6th, 1857 168 years ago
Died
1896 129 years ago — 39 years old

One individual served as the 37th Governor of Massachusetts from 1891 to 1892. This politician was a member of the Democratic Party and held various roles in state politics throughout the late 19th century. Prior to becoming governor, significant contributions were made in the state legislature. Engaged in law practice, this individual also held the position of Massachusetts Attorney General.

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William Ruto

5th President of Kenya
Born
December 21st, 1966 58 years ago

Assumed office as the fifth President of Kenya in September 2022. Served as Deputy President from 2013 to 2022 under President Uhuru Kenyatta. Held various ministerial positions including Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Agriculture. Played a significant role in the Jubilee Alliance that won the 2013 presidential elections. Engaged in several initiatives to improve agricultural productivity and youth empowerment. Pursued policies aimed at economic growth during the presidency.

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William Sadler

American actor - The Shawshank Redemption
Born
April 13th, 1950 75 years ago

An American actor began his career on stage before transitioning to film and television. Gained acclaim for roles in several notable productions. Appeared in 'The Shawshank Redemption' as Heywood, contributing to the film's critical success. Also played significant roles in 'Die Hard 2' and 'Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey'. Featured in multiple television series, including 'Roswell' and 'The Green Mile'.

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William Safire

Journalist and political commentator
Born
December 17th, 1929 95 years ago
Died
September 27th, 2009 16 years ago — 79 years old

William Safire worked as a journalist, author, and political commentator. He served as a speechwriter for President Richard Nixon and later became a prominent columnist for The New York Times. His work often focused on political language and its implications. Safire also authored several books, including works on language, history, and politics. His career spanned several decades, earning him accolades for his insight into political discourse.

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William Salmon

English medical writer and author
Born
June 2nd, 1644 381 years ago
Died
1713 312 years ago — 69 years old

A prominent English medical writer, contributed significantly to medical literature in the late 17th century. Authored numerous texts covering a wide range of medical topics, merging practical advice with theoretical knowledge. Issued several editions of 'The Compleat Herbal,' which detailed various medicinal plants and their uses. Focused on demystifying ailments and offered insights into treatment practices of the time.

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William Sanderson

American actor known for 'Blade Runner'
Born
January 10th, 1944 81 years ago

An actor with a career spanning several decades, gained recognition for portraying J.F. Sebastian in the iconic film 'Blade Runner'. Also appeared as Larry in the television series 'Newhart' and played roles in 'Deadwood' and 'The X-Files'. Worked in both film and television, contributing to various genres from science fiction to drama. Diverse performances showcased talent in both comedic and serious roles.

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