An incomplete and short list of notable Medieval personalities, inventors, philosophers, scientists, creators and society-changers.  

Natural Philosophers & Scientists (Medieval/Renaissance/Early Modern):

These individuals explored the natural world, pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

Gerbert of Aurillac (Pope Sylvester II) (c. 946–1003): A scholar and pope who introduced Arabic numerals and mathematical knowledge to Europe.

Leonardo of Pisa (Fibonacci) (c. 1170–1250): An Italian mathematician who popularized the Hindu-Arabic numeral system and introduced the Fibonacci sequence.

Johannes de Sacrobosco (c. 1195–1256): A scholar who wrote influential works on astronomy and mathematics.

Robert Grosseteste (c. 1175–1253): A bishop and scholar who emphasized the importance of observation and experimentation in science.

Roger Bacon (c. 1214–1294): A Franciscan friar and scientist who advocated for the importance of empirical methods.

Jean Buridan (c. 1300–1358): A philosopher and scientist who developed the concept of impetus, a precursor to the modern concept of inertia.

Nicole Oresme (c. 1320–1382): A bishop and scholar who made contributions to mathematics, physics, and economics.

Members of the Oxford Merton School (14th-century scholars): A group of scholars at Merton College, Oxford, who made significant contributions to mechanics and mathematics.

Galileo Galilei (1564–1642): An Italian astronomer and physicist who made groundbreaking observations with his telescope and supported the heliocentric model of the universe.

Johannes Kepler (1571–1630): A German astronomer who discovered the laws of planetary motion.

Isaac Newton (1643–1727): An English physicist and mathematician who developed the laws of motion and universal gravitation.

Artists & Architects (Medieval/Renaissance/Baroque):

These artists and architects created works of enduring beauty and innovation.

Those involved in the Cathedral School of Chartres: Masters and builders who contributed to the construction and design of Chartres Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

Byzantine mosaicists and icon painters: Anonymous artists who created the stunning mosaics and icons that decorate Byzantine churches.

Cimabue (c. 1240–1302): An Italian painter who bridged the gap between Byzantine and early Renaissance styles.

Giotto di Bondone (c. 1267–1337): An Italian painter and architect who revolutionized painting with his naturalistic style.

James of St. George (Late 13th Century): A master mason and architect who designed several castles in Wales for Edward I.

Caravaggio (1571–1610): An Italian painter known for his dramatic use of light and shadow (tenebrism).

Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640): A Flemish painter known for his dynamic Baroque style and grand historical and mythological scenes.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680): An Italian sculptor and architect who was a leading figure in the Baroque movement.

Diego Velázquez (1599–1660): A Spanish painter known for his masterful portraits and realistic depictions of court life.

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–c. 1656): An Italian Baroque painter known for her powerful depictions of women from history and mythology.

Byzantine Christian Figures (Medieval):

These figures played crucial roles in the development and preservation of Byzantine Christianity.

John Chrysostom (c. 349–407): Archbishop of Constantinople known for his eloquent sermons and his defense of the poor.

Justinian I (482–565): Byzantine emperor who codified Roman law and oversaw the construction of the Hagia Sophia.

Theodora (c. 500–548): Byzantine empress, wife of Justinian I, known for her influence and her support of women's rights.

Procopius (c. 500–562): A Byzantine historian who wrote about the reign of Justinian I.

John of Damascus (c. 675–749): A monk and theologian who defended the use of icons during the iconoclastic controversy.

Photios I of Constantinople (c. 810–893): Patriarch of Constantinople who played a key role in the Photian Schism.

Michael Psellos (1018–c. 1078): A Byzantine philosopher, historian, and writer.

Anna Comnena (1083–1153): A Byzantine princess and historian who wrote the Alexiad, a history of her father's reign.

Gregory Palamas (c. 1296–1359): A monk and theologian known for his defense of hesychasm, a mystical tradition of prayer.

Discoverers/Explorers (Medieval/Renaissance/Early Modern):

These intrepid explorers ventured into the unknown, expanding geographical knowledge and establishing new trade routes.

Vikings (9th Century): Scandinavian seafarers who explored and raided across Europe and the North Atlantic.

Bartholomew Diaz (c. 1450–1500): A Portuguese explorer who was the first European to round the southern tip of Africa.

Christopher Columbus (1451–1506): An Italian explorer who sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, reaching the Americas.

Vasco da Gama (c. 1460 or 1469–1524): A Portuguese explorer who discovered the sea route to India.

John Cabot (c. 1450–1499): An Italian explorer who explored the coast of North America for England.

Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1480–1521): A Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.

Jacques Cartier (1491–1557): A French explorer who explored the St. Lawrence River and laid claim to Canada for France.

Martin Frobisher (c. 1535–1594): An English explorer who searched for the Northwest Passage.

Francis Drake (c. 1540–1596): An English explorer and privateer who circumnavigated the globe and challenged Spanish dominance at sea.

Henry Hudson (c. 1565–1611): An English explorer who explored parts of North America, including the Hudson River and Hudson Bay.