Top 30 Most Influential People in History

Top 30 Most Influential People in History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most popular, important, and/or notable figures in history regardless of reputation.

#30: Joan of Arc
Born in 1412, Joan of Arc was a pivotal figure in France’s history, and now as an icon in the Catholic faith as well. During the Hundred Years’ War, she provided what she believed was guidance from God to strategically assist France in defeating England, particularly in the crucial siege of Orléans. Her independence, resilience, and faith in the face of adversity are recognized to this day. She was canonized as a saint, and is viewed as a feminist icon for her military prowess and refusal to conform to the gender norms of her time.

#29: Amelia Earhart
Despite her mysterious disappearance, Earhart is remembered and honored for her record-breaking solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932. Being the first woman to accomplish the feat, she paved the way for future aviators both through her achievements in the field as well as her outspoken support for equal rights. Her legacy will always provoke discussion as to what truly happened to her, which has kept her name in the public consciousness long after her presumed death. She has a slew of memorial sites dedicated to her across the United States– there’s even a crater on the moon named after her!

#28: Julius Caesar
Among the most famous Roman politicians, Julius Caesar climbed to power as a member of the First Triumvirate. The trio didn’t last long as the alliance broke down, leading to a civil war. Caesar later crossed the Rubicon, defeated his opponents, and took over as dictator. Characterized by his bold political moves, he was also known for his military victories, writings, and the Julian calendar. His assassination on the Ides of March changed the history of Rome, leading to the beginning of an empire. Further immortalized by the likes of Shakespeare, his life and death have become key moments in the history of Western civilization.

#27: Jane Austen
English author Jane Austen is responsible for writing novels that are read, studied and adapted to this day– “Pride and Prejudice,” “Emma,” and “Sense and Sensibility,” to name a few. Her work has been lauded for both capturing and commentating on the lifestyle and customs of Georgian-era England. Not to mention, her female-led stories are recognized as having paved the way for later feminist literature. Despite being written hundreds of years ago, the timeless themes of Austen’s tales continue to resonate with modern audiences, and we presume that they will be classics for eras to come!

#26: Leonardo da Vinci
When you talk about figures from the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci inevitably comes up as one of the most gifted men of the era. His status as a multi-faceted artist arguably defines the term “Renaissance man.” Da Vinci’s scientific explorations come with major innovations and inventions in all kinds of subjects. Everything from observations about human anatomy to early designs for a primitive helicopter can be attributed to him. There’s also his world-class painting that includes priceless artworks such as “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.” It would probably be easier to list the things he didn’t accomplish in his lifetime.

#25: Winston Churchill
For better or worse, Winston Churchill might be among the most British men who ever lived. His role as Prime Minister provided vital leadership for the United Kingdom during World War II. Known as a great politician and speaker, Churchill’s influence altered the course of the British empire. Helping to promote morale and patriotism, the leader is considered to have helped the UK endure the hardships of the war. Not beloved by everyone, the important man garnered a complex reputation amongst the international community. Some view him as a heroic character, whilst others see him as another British colonialist.

#24: Florence Nightingale
Nightingale's work in the field of nursing is nothing short of pioneering. During the Crimean War, she worked to implement revolutionary hygiene and sanitation practices, as well as keeping detailed records of the improvements made that would help shape future hospitals. She was given the nickname “The Lady with the Lamp,” as she would often make her rounds with a literal light in her hand, and figuratively light up the spirits of her patients with her kindness and care. Nightingale’s commitment to nursing and public health has left a far-reaching legacy that continues to leave a significant impact today!

#23: Elizabeth I of England
Though Queen Elizabeth II was the Commonwealth’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth I’s influence over Britain– and the world at large– cannot be overstated. Countless achievements and significant world events are credited to Elizabeth– the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, the settling of tensions between Protestants and Catholics, the rise of the merchant class, among many other examples. Also, as a patron of writers such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, her reign contributed to great cultural growth with far reaching impact. As a leader and a decision-maker, Elizabeth I was truly a pillar of influence.

#22: Charles Darwin
Few scientists have lit the world on fire quite like Charles Darwin. The biologist traveled around the world on “The Beagle” studying animals, developing the theory of evolution after famous trips to areas such as the Galapagos. According to his research, natural selection changes the trajectory of a species in considerable ways. He published his findings in the groundbreaking “On the Origin of Species” and changed the scientific world forever. Controversial for some audiences, Darwin’s theories angered some people who came to be known as creationists. His work in evolutionary biology gave birth to a greater understanding of nature itself.

#21: Christopher Columbus
Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II sponsored the voyage of this Italian explorer, sending him on a trip that would change the world. Christopher Columbus landed in the Caribbean and set off a chain reaction of exploration. Bringing Spanish influence to the Americas, the traveler attempted to find a route to the East Indies and instead discovered something else. A modern perspective puts Columbus in a different and much more complicated light. While he did transform Western civilization, the man also brought disease, exploitation, and slavery to the indigenous populations of America. His lasting impact is simultaneously important and difficult to grapple with in light of his darker side.

#20: Rosa Parks
She silenced a nation with a legendary refusal, and now every American grows up learning her name. In the heat of the United States’ civil rights movement, Parks found herself on a crowded bus and in a seat desired by white passengers. But when the driver insisted that Parks move, she firmly declined. Her arrest was the last of several incidents that led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which eventually forced the Supreme Court to rule bus segregation laws unconstitutional. Despite resulting personal hardships, Parks continued work as an activist for African American equality and helped establish scholarships and educational institutions. Today, she’s an indisputable icon of justice and bravery. She reminds us that even the smallest acts can sometimes achieve the greatest progress.

#19: Anne Frank
Her story might have been the first historical play that you read in grade school, but its significance goes much farther. She and her family were among millions of Jewish Germans who went into hiding from Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime. She cataloged her time in a personal journal that has since become one of the most renowned books in history. The diary’s commentary on Frank’s family, career aspirations and internal struggles were deeply nuanced and touched those who read them. As such, the document has inspired movies, plays, museums, charities, and more. While she herself tragically did not survive, her writing prevails as one of the most universally recognized reminders of the horrors created by the Holocaust…and the real people who were lost to it.

#18: William Shakespeare
Few writers from the 16th and 17th centuries are as well-remembered as William Shakespeare. The Bard of Avon is arguably the most famous playwright that ever lived, with an extensive catalog of plays and sonnets. Many of the world’s finest actors have tested their abilities on stage and screen in Shakespearean productions. If you didn’t have to read his writing in school, you’ve definitely seen a film or TV show based on one of his stories. He’s without a doubt one of the most adapted and celebrated authors in human history. Still representing a high watermark for the English language, Shakespeare continues to have a hold on popular culture.

#17: Mother Teresa
Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu took the name “Mother Teresa” to honor the patron saint of missionaries, and the title foreshadowed the remarkable life that she led. She swore solemn religious vows young, offering the majority of her life in service to the poor and in educating those most in need of miracles. She created the Missionaries of Charity congregation, which continues to provide humanitarian aid for refugees, victims of disease, orphans, and many others across multiple continents. Even when receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong efforts, she insisted that the money for the ceremony be donated. Her selfless legacy has inspired countless others to continue her philosophy of kindness and altruism. It’s no wonder that her name has become colloquial shorthand for moral generosity.

#16: Mahatma Gandhi
From a lawyer to a renowned symbol of peace, the story of Mahatma Gandhi is one of national struggle, triumph, and tragedy. He played an integral part in the Indian independence movement in the 1930s and 1940s. Synonymous with his country of origin, the activist defined the best of both India and humanity. His choice of nonviolent resistance was seen as an admirable change from previous revolts. Inspiring the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., this leader showed the world that peace can be achieved without taking up arms. His assassination in 1948 marked the end of an extraordinary life of world-changing activism.

#15: Vladimir Lenin
Few countries have gone through more changes in the 20th century than Russia. One of the men responsible for altering the nation’s history was Vladimir Lenin. He played a key role in the October Revolution, led the Bolsheviks, and helped to create Soviet Russia. Taking inspiration from radical thinker Karl Marx, Lenin worked to install communism on a national level. The revolutionary’s pro-communist forces fought off the White Army in the Russian Civil War, maintaining power and subsequently creating the USSR. His administration also started a wave of political violence known as the Red Terror. After facing serious health problems, the leader died in 1924 and was later succeeded by controversial figures like Joseph Stalin.

#14: Nikola Tesla
Way ahead of his time, Nikola Tesla worked tirelessly to understand the potential for electrical power. His most important work surrounds his innovations with alternating current. With many inventions to his name, the engineer even worked for Thomas Edison before venturing out on his own. Businessman George Westinghouse grew interested in Tesla’s AC current ideas, starting a rivalry between the pair and Edison. Beyond inspiring Elon Musk’s company name, this scientist also pursued key research into wireless technology. The Tesla coil and a variation of the induction motor are just two works attributed to his boundless genius.

#13: Mao Zedong
After the fall of imperial China, a series of conflicts opened the door for revolutionary Mao Zedong. His political leanings inspired the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. When the Nationalist Party fought the CCP, the resulting civil war ended in the latter side winning in 1949. Zedong then created the People’s Republic of China and became the most dominant figure in Chinese politics. For decades, the leader presided over reforms that revolutionized the country’s economic output and created the Great Chinese Famine. Through the Cultural Revolution, the chairman both became feared and hugely powerful. He’s largely seen as being responsible for countless deaths due to his legislation and politically-motivated violence.

#12: Cleopatra
She’s a household name, whenever the topic of Egyptian leaders comes up at dinnertime. Cleopatra assumed the throne of Ptolemy XII at an astonishingly young age, facing the chaotic civil turmoil and political unrest that came with it. While her complicated relationships with Mark Antony and Julius Caesar have been heavily dramatized, they were also unmistakably tactical. These and other relations with the Roman Empire helped keep Egypt a sovereign nation and secured its bookmark in today’s encyclopedias. She shaped her kingdom’s economics, religion, artistic movements and body of laws. Her depictions in both ancient artwork and modern pop culture are equally famous, and her status as a historical heroine has hardly diminished, even centuries after her reign.

#11: Alexander the Great
After assuming the throne of Macedon, Alexander the Great didn’t let his age hold him back. His military genius allowed him to conquer large portions of Asia. His intelligence might also have been partly due to his being taught by the great Aristotle, the latter of whom was a student of the Greek philosopher Plato. The king didn’t just leave behind an extensive empire either. In the period after his death, the ruler’s cultural footprint resulted in the Hellenistic age. From Macedonia to modern-day India, Alexander brought European influence to areas much farther than the Mediterranean.

#10: Thomas Edison
Many of the most important inventions of the 20th century can be credited to Thomas Edison. With his modern take on the electric lightbulb, the inventor helped to provide a life-changing innovation to American homes. He and his research team have taken credit for several milestones in entertainment. This includes the phonograph, revolutionizing the way people consume all kinds of sound recordings. There’s also the motion picture camera which, along with the legendary Black Maria studios, provided a new way to capture fiction and non-fiction. Edison’s name has become an integral part of an age that industrialized and connected the world.

#9: Abraham Lincoln
The 16th president of the United States ranks among the most important in the nation’s history. Next to the likes of the 1st president George Washington, Abraham Lincoln is often considered among the most favored in American history. He became the president right as the bitter argument over slavery ignited the Civil War. His work in restoring the Union during the conflict saved the nation, preserving the power of the U.S. government during a devastating war. In his greatest moments as the commander-in-chief, his abolitionist policies and subsequent influence on the 13th Amendment ended slavery in America. His political ingenuity, moral character, and iconic speeches still receive praise to this day.

#8: Adolf Hitler
As an infamous and world-changing figure of the 20th century, Adolf Hitler is undeniably evil. His rise to power in post-World War I Germany turned the nation into a fascist state. Using anti-Semitic rhetoric, Hitler became a dictator and plunged the country into war. As the German chancellor, the corrupt leader fought for control of Europe in World War II. He and his Nazi collaborators engineered the Holocaust, systematically killing millions of Jews and others deemed undesirable. After trying to normalize far-right and racist ideas, the politician died as one of the most loathed people in modern history.

#7: Marie Curie

She was the first female Nobel Prize winner, and she remains its only recipient for scientific work in two different fields. You might know Marie Curie for her famous discovery of radium, but you might not think about all of the world-shaping developments that her research led to. X-rays, pivotal atomic research, and life-saving cancer treatments all owe their success to Curie’s earlier work. She persevered in spite of scandals, xenophobia, sexism, and the long-term illness that eventually claimed her life. She stands as one of the most important pioneers in the history of chemistry and physics, and multiple universities, scholarships, and awards have been named for her. She’s even got her own synthetic chemical element!

#6: Martin Luther King Jr.
As one of the faces of the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. ranks among the greatest Americans ever. Helping to organize the Montgomery bus boycott, King instigated a much-needed change to segregationist policies in America. At the famed March on Washington, his “I Have a Dream” speech became among the most famous of the 20th century. His activities also ensured that legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed in the United States. While he was assassinated in 1968, his ministry has lived on through his timeless words and actions. He also received a Nobel Peace Prize and later a federal holiday in his honor, adding to his lasting impact on the U.S. and the world.

#5: Isaac Newton
For a scientist from the 17th century, Isaac Newton had a lot of incredible insights into everyday life. His discoveries in the field of physics are legendary by any measure. Without him, we would still have gravity but we might not understand it as well. Whether or not Newton was really hit by a falling apple, he famously developed gravitational theories among many other key observations. His laws of motion are still cited in science, helping people work out the essential aspects of the universe. The book “Principia” encapsulates some of his most important findings and still ranks as a pivotal scientific text.

#4: Gautama Buddha
In the 6th century BCE, Siddhartha Gautama was said to have been born in what is now modern-day Nepal. He later came to be known as Buddha. His life and teachings came to inspire Buddhism, one of the most influential religions to come out of Asia. Two of his notable concepts include the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, both of which are meant to help the mind and body. Known for his simple lifestyle and focus on meditation, the religious leader also inspired many sacred texts, including the Tipiṭaka. The longstanding tradition that originates from Gautama has hundreds of millions of followers to its name.

#3: Albert Einstein
If you’ve ever been called “Einstein,” somebody probably thinks you’re pretty smart. This is because Albert Einstein might as well be the most famous scientific mind of the last century. In his theory of relativity, the scientist established himself as a leading mind of the 20th century. He also popularized one of the more important formulas in the history of physics. The Nobel Prize winner’s innovations in a variety of scientific fields had an unprecedented effect on modern science. At the dawn of the nuclear age, his incredible work signaled a new era for scientific thought.

#2: Muhammad
As the man responsible for a leading world religion, Muhammad is a sacred figure to Muslims around the globe. In the 7th century CE, the leader started his ministry after receiving what is known traditionally as his first revelation from God. His work helped to transform Islam from a small group into a significant presence in the Arabic world. The prophet’s teachings came to encompass the Quran, the holiest text in Islam. Once he built up a massive following, Muhammad and his followers completed a conquest of Mecca. He ultimately laid the groundwork for a religious movement that now has over a billion people worldwide. Following the founder’s death, the faith split into Shia and Sunni sects that each developed their own traditions.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Zoroaster
Founding Zoroastrianism, the Prophet Developed the Groundbreaking, Monotheistic Religion

Saint Paul
As a Prolific Writer, Paul Played an Important Part in Disseminating Early Christian Teachings

Margaret Thatcher
The United Kingdom’s First Female Prime Minister, a Leader in Conservative Politics

Genghis Khan
The Mongol Ruler Built a Fearsome Empire That Was the Largest of Its Kind

Benjamin Franklin
This Founding Father of America Was an Important Diplomat, Inventor, & Writer

#1: Jesus Christ
According to tradition, Jesus of Nazareth emerged as a religious prophet who took twelve Apostles, preached around the Middle East, and was later crucified for his teachings. His story in the New Testament recounts everything from his ability to work miracles to his lessons, including the Beatitudes. Jesus Christ and the writings surrounding him eventually inspired the biggest religion in the world. It’s also hard to overestimate his influence on Western culture. With the growth of the Christian church, the religious leader continued to inspire everything from politics to artwork. When you factor in the various Christian denominations, there’s an endless amount of influence that his work has had on billions of people.

Did we forget another important figure in history? Let us know in the comments below.