In a continuous history of thousands of years there have been billions of people who “visited” our planet but very few who managed to leave their mark. Even though every single man and woman on our list is dead, their ideas and works continue to shape and influence our world. If they’re influence can be felt in death, can you imagine what they would do in life? What do you think? If you had a chance to bring any influential historical figure back to life, who would you pick? Could it be one of these 25 Historical Figures?
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
1. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Source: list25.com
The man who wrote over 600 musical works and would’ve written probably as many more if he didn’t die so young is considered by many historians the most influential Western musician and if he lived today it’s a safe bet classical music would have way more fans.
2. William Shakespeare
Source: list25.com
He’s widely regarded as the greatest and most creative writer ever in the English language and it would have been really interesting to see what he could have offered in an era where pretty much every film and story is a remake of a previous classic.
3. Walt Disney
He’s widely regarded as the greatest and most creative writer ever in the English language and it would have been really interesting to see what he could have offered in an era where pretty much every film and story is a remake of a previous classic.
3. Walt Disney
Source: list25.com
Even though Walt Disney will always live on through his animated films and amazing theme parks we sometimes wonder what kind of masterpieces he would have produced these days with all the revolutionary special effects and technology we now have.
4. Vincent van Gogh
Even though Walt Disney will always live on through his animated films and amazing theme parks we sometimes wonder what kind of masterpieces he would have produced these days with all the revolutionary special effects and technology we now have.
4. Vincent van Gogh
Source: list25.com
Arguably one of the greatest and most talented painters in history, van Gogh had the misfortune of only selling a single portrait in his lifetime and, most importantly, had to deal with severe mental issues. Nowadays he would enjoy a more stable life thanks to our current advances in medicine and could have possibly delivered even more incredible masterpieces.
5. Steve Jobs
Source: list25.com
In life as in death, Jobs continues to shape the world and how we see it via his products. However. we can’t help but wonder what other great innovations might have Jobs introduced into our society if he was still alive.
6. Plato
In life as in death, Jobs continues to shape the world and how we see it via his products. However. we can’t help but wonder what other great innovations might have Jobs introduced into our society if he was still alive.
6. Plato
Source: list25.com
The man through whom we know about Socrates is also the one whose legacy survives in what is known as Platonism. According to pretty much every thinker who followed him, Plato’s ideas have had an impact on every major social institution throughout history, including religion, art, science, and the family.
7. Michelangelo
Source: list25.com
The “Renaissance man” would have definitely made the declining art of sculpture a joy for the masses. Moreover, our parks and public buildings would have enjoyed a touch of classier and more sophisticated designs and decorations.
8. Marilyn Monroe
Source: list25.com
Marilyn wasn’t considered the classiest lady of her time exactly. However, compared to a lot of what we see today we’re pretty sure if she was alive she would raise the bar to whats considered “sexy”.
9. Leonardo da Vinci
Source: list25.com
He is widely considered the most diversely talented person ever to have lived. Painter, sculptor, inventor and draftsmen da Vinci did it all masterfully. It would be a sheer delight to see what da Vinci could do with the technology we possess today.
10. John Lennon
Source: list25.com
John Lennon stood out as a musician and personality because he cared for the world and people could feel that. He sang for peace and equality, and most importantly he dreamed of a better world without violence and injustice.
11. Hypatia
Source: list25.com
Greek mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher in Egypt, Hypatia would have probably been a major force in the feminist movement.
12. Homer
Source: list25.com
The first and greatest of the epic poets, Homer would have probably given J.K. Rowling a run for her money (no offence J.K.). His masterpieces have endured the test of time even with a huge language gap. It’s scary to think the incredible masterpieces he would’ve written today.
13. Diana, Princess of Wales
Source: list25.com
We don’t think this generation or even the next will ever love another member of any royal family as much as we loved Diana. She was one with her people and she cared for the commoners as much as she cared for the royals.
14. John F. Kennedy
Source: list25.com
Considered to be the most beloved American president in history, John F. Kennedy died too soon. Many historians believe that if he had lived longer the world might have been a better place.
15. Bob Marley
Source: list25.com
If the reggae legend were still alive he would have been seventy this year. Bob Marley wasn’t just a musician but a humanist and political activist who honored his lyrics and music with his simple lifestyle.
16. Friedrich Nietzsche
Source: list25.com
Those who are interested in nineteenth-century philosophy probably know that one of Nietzsche’s greatest fears was mediocrity. If he lived today, he would probably be a vocal opponent to anything considered mediocre. He would also be a strong critique against religion.
17. Galileo Galilei
Source: list25.com
The “father of modern science” should be alive for the simple reason that he would have gotten the chance to freely scream “And yet it moves!” referring to our beautiful planet, of course.
18. Mahatma Gandhi
Source: list25.com
Born and raised in a Hindu merchant caste family in coastal Gujarat,Gandhi was the preeminent leader of Indian independence movement in British-ruled India and is known for his Employment of nonviolent civil disobedience. A peaceful and wise man, it would be interesting to hear what he would have to say concerning the current state of our society.
19. Martin Luther King Jr.
Source: list25.com
King was a man who dreamt of a world without injustice, discrimination, and racism. Where all men and women would be brothers and sisters regardless of their skin color, religion, and or sex. Many believe that his dream is close to being fulfilled, but would he agree?
20. Confucius
Source: list25.com
The great philosopher Confucius inspired the most profound reforms in ancient China, but he left a legacy that today hampers the striving of many Asians for democratic change. There’s no doubt he would certainly be useful in countries such as Myanmar, China, and North Korea today.
21. Nikola Tesla
Source: list25.com
With the advances in modern technology we tend to believe Nikola Tesla would have been able to solve the energy problem and invent things that would change life and society dramatically for the better.
22. Sigmund Freud
Source: list25.com
He’s been dead for over seventy years, but Sigmund Freud’s provocative theories are still a huge part of psychology, neuroscience, and culture (despite the fact that many of his ideas were totally wrong). Love him or hate him, scandalous geniuses such as Freud can challenge the way a social system works, which is what makes people like Freud legends.
23. Aristotle
Source: list25.com
Following Socrates and Plato, Aristotle had a great wealth of knowledge and wisdom to build upon, but he left no successor who could surpass him. His work changed the direction of Western learning and continues to play a crucial part in modern studies. His work in the sciences would inevitably become obsolete, particular in natural philosophy. But his contributions to biology would remain unsurpassed for centuries. On the other hand, his work in the humanities and social sciences continues to provide the basis for debate and guide academic learning. Moreover, he essentially created the field of logic and devised the syllogism. Who wouldn’t wish this man to be alive today?
24. Cleopatra VII of Egypt
Source: list25.com
Arguably the most powerful and influential woman that ever lived, Cleopatra was the last active pharaoh of Ancient Egypt and one of the very few humans in history whose life became a myth. Even though her legacy survives in numerous works of art we are pretty sure that if she was alive today she would have an even greater impact on the world.
25. Socrates
Source: list25.com
The greatest philosopher who ever lived and the man who laid the foundations of Western philosophy had a unique gift: he enjoyed listening to people’s opinions no matter how naive or illogical they may have been. In an era where narcissism is so prevalent, it would be interesting to see what philosophical diagnosis Socrates would give us.
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