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2025’s List of the Most Influential People in History
1. Jesus Christ
For shaping religious thought and moral values around the globe, Jesus remains the most transformative figure in history, inspiring billions across centuries.
2. Napoleon Bonaparte
A military genius and political master, Napoleon drastically altered France and Europe’s political landscape, influencing modern warfare and governance.
3. Muhammad
The founder of Islam, Muhammad, significantly impacted religious, cultural, and socio-political aspects of the world, founding one of the largest faiths today.
4. William Shakespeare
As the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare’s literary works and innovative language continue to influence literature, arts, and drama worldwide.
5. Abraham Lincoln
Led the U.S. through its Civil War and abolished slavery, leaving an enduring legacy of equality and leadership.
6. George Washington
The founding father who led American independence and served as the nation’s first president, shaping the United States’ identity.
7. Adolf Hitler
A controversial figure responsible for World War II and the Holocaust; his impact underscores the perils of extremism and propaganda.
8. Aristotle
Ancient Greece’s philosopher whose ideas laid the groundwork for Western philosophy, science, and ethics.
9. Alexander the Great
His military conquests spread Greek culture and influence across three continents, fostering a fusion that shaped subsequent civilizations.
10. Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence and third U.S. president, Jefferson’s ideas continue to influence democracy and human rights.
11. Henry VIII of England
His religious reforms and six marriages significantly impacted England’s history and the broader Protestant Reformation.
12. Charles Darwin
Revolutionized biology with his theory of evolution by natural selection, changing how humanity perceives itself within nature.
13. Elizabeth I of England
Her reign engineered a golden age of English culture and global influence, solidifying her legacy as a formidable leader.
14. Karl Marx
His writings on class struggle and capitalism laid the foundation for modern socialism and communism movements worldwide.
15. Julius Caesar
A Roman general and dictator whose actions led to the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.
16. Queen Victoria
Under her rule, the British Empire expanded vastly, shaping world politics and commerce for over half a century.
17. Martin Luther
His Ninety-Five Theses sparked the Protestant Reformation, transforming religious thought and practice across Europe.
18. Joseph Stalin
A pivotal yet controversial figure who transformed the Soviet Union into a superpower, influencing Cold War geopolitics.
19. Albert Einstein
Whose theory of relativity revolutionized physics and expanded our understanding of space, time, and energy.
20. Christopher Columbus
His voyages opened the Americas to European exploration, forever altering global history.
This snapshot offers a glimpse into the individuals who have left indelible marks on human civilization. Their diverse contributions reflect the complexities of shaping the modern world, whether through innovation, warfare, philosophy, or leadership.
(For the full list and detailed insights, see the works of Steven Skiena and Charles B. Ward, Who’s Bigger? 2013).
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