Historical Figures

It wasn’t always obvious that Albert Einstein was destined for greatness. Long before he won the Nobel Prize, he was a rebellious, lovesick young man and a music lover who infuriated his professors and struggled to find a job. It would take years of struggle, but eventually Einstein’s writings would revolutionize theoretical physics and usher in the atomic age. 

Lewis and Clark--two names that are always heard in tandem. But who were these two young men before they became an inseparable duo? Lewis and Clark’s unique talents and interests made for a perfect partnership, and together they overcame myriad challenges, including hostile tribes, charging bears, poisonous snakes, and endless hoards of mosquitos until they achieved their hard-won goal of reaching the Pacific Ocean.    

Much more than just a pool game, this Venetian merchant traveler adventured through China and the Mongolian Empire. Though his memoirs may have been heavily embellished, the book gave those who came after Marco Polo a broad picture of 13th century culture, led to advances in cartography and inspired explorers throughout history.

“The Mona Lisa”. “The Last Supper”. “The Vitruvian Man”. Leonardo Da Vinci’s work still inspires over five hundred years later. But what about the man behind the paintings? He was an illegitimate child, a graverobber, and briefly lived at the Vatican. Carter and Vanessa explore the complex life of the true renaissance man. 

A radical writer and philosopher, Karl Marx found himself exiled from multiple countries thanks to his communist writings in the 1800s. However, in the following century, this same writing stirred revolution across the world, as communist governments rose to power. What influenced the famous father of communism, and why did he believe it was the best system? Carter and Vanessa explore the life of the author of The Communist Manifesto and Das Capital, and how his revolutionary ideas resonated worldwide.

The “Father of Europe”, Charlemagne’s rule as King of the Franks changed the face of Europe, unifying regions that had been at war and spreading Christianity across the continent. As Holy Roman Emperor, crowned by the Pope himself, he founded the Carolingian dynasty. His reign sparked an intellectual and cultural revival, the effects of which are still evident across Europe today.

She was crowned at only eighteen years old, but Queen Victoria made a name for herself as one of Great Britain’s most remembered monarchs, redefining the British crown for modern times. She reigned over her global empire for over 60 years. Carter and Vanessa explore Victoria’s isolated childhood, her great love affair, and the personality of the woman who defined an era.

Nikola Tesla was a power-player in the current war, where General Electric and Westinghouse fought over how America would get electricity.  Tesla contributed to the development of the alternating-current electrical system that’s widely used today and discovered the rotating magnetic field. Carter and Vanessa talk about Tesla’s mysterious visions of inventions, the strange illness he suffered, and how the kind soul gave up millions of dollars and died penniless. 

The first Vice-President of the United States and second President, John Adams struggled to measure up to the mythic George Washington. Not that he wasn’t qualified- as a successful lawyer who helped pen the Declaration of Independence and served as an early ambassador for the fledgling nation, John Adams was instrumental to the birth of America. Carter and Vanessa explore Adams’ presidency, love affair with his wife Abigail, and his “frenemy” relationship with fellow founding father and presidential successor, Thomas Jefferson. 

Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize--and she didn’t only win one, she won two. Carter and Vanessa discuss Marie’s inspirations in naming the elements she discovered: polonium and radium, and how she fought sexism throughout her life, paving the way for women in science today.

Confucius was an ancient Chinese philosopher, teacher and politician whose wisdom and teachings are still followed to this day. Despite chaos and war during his life more than 2500 years ago, Confucius promoted harmonious ideals that resonated with people for centuries to come. China’s leaders did not always welcome his teachings, but today, he is often regarded as a hero. 

A man of contradictions, Pancho Villa was a prominent military leader in the Mexican Revolution who lived his life as a criminal, a hero...and a Hollywood star. Join Carter and Vanessa as they explore the successes and failures that defined Villa’s life and legacy, which is still prominent today.

The critically acclaimed psychologist Sigmund Freud spent years publishing famous papers, stirring up controversy in his field of study, and creating the ideas of psychoanalysis and the infamous Oedipus Complex. Vanessa and Carter explore Freud’s colorful life, his finding of an international psychology movement, and his near persecution during the Holocaust. 

Orville and Wilbur Wright are famous for their developments in aeronautics. What began in Dayton, Ohio as entertainment later became a scientific passion for the brothers. The Wright Brothers risked their lives, again and again, to make their dream of human flight a reality.

George Gallup is responsible for polling as we know it today. He was a pioneer of survey sampling and inventor of the Gallup poll. But since he was young, he was an entrepreneur. We look deeper into his passions for journalism and psychology, and how Gallup’s polling impacted—and continues to impact—society today. 

Jimmy Hoffa, born in Indiana in 1913, helped create the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and aimed to pave the way to the American Dream for laborers. But he also led a mysterious life, mingling with mobs and making enemies with dangerous men. This risky networking may have led to Hoffa’s disappearance.

When Nicolaus Copernicus was born in 1473, scholars believed that the earth stood still, and the sun circled around it. Copernicus devoted his life to understanding the structure of our solar system, and found mathematical proof that the earth, in fact, orbits around the sun. Although he didn’t live to see his influence on astronomy, his findings opened the door to space travel, the discovery of other planets and galaxies...and even the chance of finding life outside of earth. 

Born in Italy on March 6, 1475, Michelangelo was destined to create outstanding and genius works of art. Although his family was of a lower class and discouraged him from pursuing a more noble career in the arts, Michelangelo followed his passion for art even as a young boy. And despite being well known for his paintings in the Sistine Chapel and his architecture, Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor above all else. 

Father of free market economics, Adam Smith was one of many great philosophers of the 18th century Enlightenment period. His philosophies helped change the economy, putting an end to the long-standing feudal system. But outside of his well-known works, such as The Wealth of Nations, Smith remained private, even burning the paper trail of his life before he died. 

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a women’s rights activist well known for her work in the women’s movement. But Elizabeth lived a complicated life, and left a controversial legacy. 

John D. Rockefeller came from humble beginnings in Ohio. He had dreams to achieve the impossible: become the wealthiest man in the world. John accomplished this goal, but used controversial methods to do so. Was he a genius? Or was he a tyrant? 

She was a student, an author, an activist. She met thirteen presidents, and won the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But Helen Keller was much more than just a symbol for people who are deaf or blind. Her life was filled with both triumphs and tragedies, and with the aid of her mentor, Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller became a legacy that still serves as an inspiration to all. 

Hernan Cortes was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain. From an early age, he sought adventure and romance, which led him to trouble throughout his life. He grew to be one of the first Spanish conquistadors who brought European culture to the Americas. His legacy lives on as both a hero of the Spanish Empire... and as a violent conqueror who slaughtered thousands of indigenous peoples in his quest for money and power.

Even as a child, Oscar Wilde dreamed of becoming famous. We dive deep into the life of the now notorious playwright, artist, and celebrated author. He is celebrated for his passionate writing, sharp wit, and taste for art. 

Born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa, Nelson Mandela grew up to be an influential activist and political leader. Despite being jailed for decades because he joined the fight against apartheid, Mandela became the first black president of South Africa and one of the most celebrated political leaders of all time. 

Her self-portraits are well known: thick eyebrows, a striking stare, and a mysterious smile. But Frida Kahlo’s paintings weren’t just works of art; they portrayed life’s emotions and her own revolutionary ideals. The spirit of revolution defined her art, her life, and her ever-present legacy.

We all know Thomas Edison for his inventions of the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and the incandescent light bulb. But did you know that when he was a teenager, he published his own newspaper from a train baggage car? 

Jesse James was one of the most iconic American outlaws of all time. He made a name for himself robbing trains, banks, and stealing horses. Is it possible that his abandonment by male role models during childhood gave rise to Jesse James's extreme bad boy persona? 

Jackie Robinson was the first black man in America  to cross “the color line” and play baseball in the major leagues. But when he was in his early teens, Jackie joined a street gang and had numerous run-ins with the law. 

Most people know Mark Twain as one of America’s most popular writers and humorists. Some even know that as a young man, he was a Riverboat pilot. But did you know that during the Civil War, he volunteered for the war effort to fight for the South? 

Anwar El-Sadat was an Egyptian president who is credited with bringing peace between Egypt and Israel in the late 1970s. But, as a young soldier, he formed a group called The Free Officers, a revolutionary movement that would eventually overthrow King Farouk and liberate the Egyptian people from British rule. 

Sir Francis Bacon was many things. A philosopher. A lawyer. A scientist that is sometimes credited with formalizing the Scientific Method, a process that includes making a hypothesis, testing and retesting it until the results are found. But was he also...William Shakespeare? 

Genghis Khan is known as one of the most vicious rulers in history, but did you know that he created one of the first international courier systems called The Yam? It was a set of well-spaced outposts across his empire. Goods and information could be transported faster by replacing tired horses with fresh horses and it also allowed him to keep a closer eye on his network of military spies and scouts. 

Having stated that marriage and death “are nearly the same thing,” John Locke instead dedicated his life to knowledge, thought, and peace in one of England’s most turbulent times. From humble beginnings to the halls of power, John Locke’s philosophical ideas constructed the modern definition of the self. His political ideas surrounding the separation of church and state laid the foundation for democracy, and are also credited with starting the Age of Revolutions in the 18th century.

Galileo Galilei is known as the father of modern science and the man whose work proved that the Earth orbits the sun. His scientific discoveries were in opposition of what the Catholic Church taught. But did you know that while he was a math professor at the University of Pisa, Galileo was fined because he refused to obey the school’s dress code and wear a toga?

Thanks so much for listening to Historical Figures. Parcast has another podcast called Great Women of Business where we profile amazing female business leaders. This episode is on Lydia Pinkham, an historic figure in her own right! We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we do! In a time when women were desperate for safe and effective treatments for women’s health issues, Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compounds became one of the best-known medicines of the 19th century. She began by giving away the compound for free to create a strong referral network, which fueled the rapid growth of her business.

Andrew Carnegie, a Scottish American industrialist, who helped build the American steel industry. He became one of the richest men in the world, and also one of its leading philanthropists. But his very first job was as a “bobbin boy” in a cotton factory where he was responsible for bringing bobbins to loom weavers.

Yangdi was the last emperor of the short-lived Sui dynasty. He was responsible for many great things like strengthening the northern border by rebuilding the Great Wall and building the Grand Canal. But he also had a violent streak which he used to seize power by killing both his older brother and his father.

Known as the Father of Genetics for his groundbreaking work on pea plants and subsequent discovery of the fundamental laws of inheritance, Mendel also struggled with mental health issues such as severe depression and anxiety.   Sponsors! Harper Collins Children's Books - “The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue” and “The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy” are available wherever books or audiobooks are sold.

This poor young revolutionary would one day sit aside Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt in the aftermath of the greatest conflict in human history. What can we learn from Stalin's improbable rise to power? Subscribe to our new show - Hostage - today! Sponsors! Parcast - Sign up for the Parcast Monthly Newsletter at Parcast.com!

A pioneer in the abolition movement and women's suffrage, Frederick Douglass escaped slavery and championed a movement through his speeches and writings during the Civil War. Sponsors! Parcast - Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to our new podcast Kingpins!

Responsible for leading the first expedition across North America in 1804, Sacagawea was only 17 when she made the trek, while pregnant, across the continent. The daughter of a Native American chief, Sacagawea was captured and enslaved by an opposing tribe and then sold as a bride to a canadian fur trapper. Sponsors! Parcast - Rate, review, and subscribe to our new podcast Kingpins!

Around 6th-century AD, legendary tales began circling of a great warrior king that defended Britain against invaders. The man in question? King Arthur. The stories don’t stop there. A thousand years later, King Arthur’s conquests involving the Holy Grail, Excalibur, and the Knights of the Round Table are still shining him in a heroic light.  New Shows! Parcast Network - Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to our new podcast Assassinations!

Since he was a child, it was apparent that Robin had a special ability to make others laugh. He often described his home life in Chicago as lonely, and used his sense of humor to garner attention from his parents. But deep down Robin battled a darkness that would never go away. Sponsors! Audible - For a limited time, you can get 3 months of Audible for just $6.95 a month when you go to Audible.com/HISTORICAL or text HISTORICAL to 500 500. 

As World War 2 raged on, Europe was rocked by the horrors of the holocaust, failed businessman turned Nazi spy, Oskar Schindler embarked on a personal mission to save the suffering Jewish prisoners of Poland's Płaszów Concentration Camp. Parcast News - Be sure to check out Parcast’s first fictional crime show MIND’S EYE at Parcast.com/MindsEye!

As the world changed in the early 19th century, one man saw a future for a free Latin America. His name was Simón Bolívar, and he would lead a number of successful fights for independence against Spain. Though he was eventually given the name, El Liberador, he also came to known as a dictator in his own right. Sponsors! Zola - To start your free wedding website and also get $50 off your registry on Zola, go to Zola.com/HISTORICAL.

There was a time when science and religion worked in harmony, as two parts of a celestial design. Astrologer and philosopher Johannes Kepler oversaw this marriage of theory and belief when he proposed the revolutionary laws of planetary motion in the early 17th century. Amidst personal loss and the chaos of post-schism Europe, Kepler held true to his personal mission to find God among the stars. Parcasters - When you’re done listening Johannes Kepler’s rules of planetary motion, find out what else is out there in the universe. Check out Parcast’s newest podcast Extraterrestrial at parcast.com/extraterrestrial.

This famous Queen ruled Egypt during the mid 14th century, BC, over a period of immense religious upheaval. With her husband, she conspired to convert all of Egypt from the traditional polytheistic religion to the worship of a single God. In the end, that devotion would cost Nefertiti her legacy, her life, and her tomb. Parcasters - Learn about more powerful couples by listening to our new podcast CRIMES OF PASSION today! Check it out at parcast.com/passion

In the late 15th Century, explorer Christopher set out with on a mission that had never been attempted before: cross the Atlantic Ocean and find an alternate route to Asia. Instead, he landed in the Caribbean, and set himself up to be credited as the "man who discovered America". In reality, Columbus was a zealot and an egomaniac who oversaw the death and enslavement of thousands of native Americans.  Parcasters - You won’t want to miss this special episode on American icon John McCain on HOSTAGE, wherever you get your shows. Listen now at parcast.com/hostage

Born into slavery during the early 1800s in Maryland, she survived a tragic, violent childhood before ultimately escaping and gaining her own freedom. Unsatisfied, Harriet Tubman embarked on a mission of liberation, freeing slaves and shepherding them to the North via the Underground Railroad.  Sponsors! Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Historical Figures a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Historical.Robinhood.com.

London. The 17th century. Against a backdrop of raging fires and devastating plagues, one man came to prominence as the premiere scientific mind of the age. Soft spoken, brilliant, troubled, prone to fits of rage and nervous breakdowns: This was Isaac Newton.  SPONSORS! Simon & Schuster - “Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine” by classicist and historian Barry Strauss is available now wherever books are sold or visit BarryStrauss.com.

Famously temperamental, this musical genius is celebrated today as one of the most influential cultural figures in history. His story has stood the test of time; a difficult childhood, marked by an abusive, alcoholic father, would serve as his inspiration to seek a better life. Sponsors! Simon & Schuster - “Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine” by classicist and historian Barry Strauss is available now wherever books are sold or visit BarryStrauss.com. Robinhood - Robinhood is giving listeners of Historical Figures a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio. Sign up at Historical.Robinhood.com.

He’s a studio. He’s a theme park. He’s a Man. Born in Chicago in 1901, Walter Elias Disney would become one of the defining figures of entertainment. But the flesh-and-blood man was far from perfect, and his life was defined by an insatiable desire to push the boundaries of what was possible. Parcasters - Don't miss the exciting conclusion to our exploration of the Robert Blake murder trial, coming up tomorrow on Not Guilty! Catch up on the first episode now at parcast.com/notguilty

The prize most coveted by the best and brightest minds in society owes its name to one man: Alfred Nobel. This Swedish inventor born in 1833, has a complicated history after battling through childhood poverty in which only three of his seven siblings reached adulthood.  Parcasters - We're tackling one of the most famous couples in history this week on Crimes of Passion? Can you guess who made up this outlaw pairing? Find out now at parcast.com/passion

As one of the earliest pioneers in the field of quantum physics in the late 19th century, Max Planck would work with his protege, Albert Einstein, to redefine an entire field of science... just as Germany was falling under the iron fist of the Nazi Regime.  Sponsors! The Farmer’s Dog - Get 50% off your two week trial of fresh, healthy food at The Farmers Dog.com/HISTORICAL. Plus, you get FREE shipping! Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/HISTORICAL you will get a FREE FIVE PIECE Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove - a THIRTY DOLLAR value!

Born in 1940 in British-occupied Kenya, Wangarĩ Muta Maathai learned at a young age how the environment and poverty were inextricably linked. As one of Africa's first women to obtain a PhD, she dedicated over forty years of her adult life fighting to teach the people of Kenya about sustainable farming and standing up against the corrupt institutions of her home country's government Sponsors! The Farmer’s Dog  -  Get 50% off your two week trial of fresh, healthy food at The Farmers Dog dot com slash HISTORICAL. Plus, you get FREE shipping! 

Johann Bach never knew it during his lifetime, but he revolutionized classical music. Centuries after his death in 1750, Bach is known as one of the main fathers of classical composition. Sponsors! Gabi - Take TWO MINUTES and Go to Gabi.com/HISTORICAL to see if you can save up to $865 a year on car insurance today! Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/HISTORICAL to get a FREE FIVE-PIECE Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove.

Jesse Owens broke four world records in a single day. Even after facing down the bigotry of Hitler's Germany in the 1936 Olympics, he returned to an America that was not willing to accept him. Sponsors! Simon & Schuster - The Vagabonds is available now wherever books are sold.

Today, Muhammad Ali is one of the most celebrated athletes and activists in history, but he was not always so appreciated. In 1969, Ali was stripped of his fighting license and his title after being convicted of draft evasion. A year later, he would return to the ring, and continue to speak truth to power. Parcasters - Don’t miss all of our special Summer of ‘69 episodes by subscribing to Parcast Presents: Summer of ‘69, on Spotify, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Sponsors! Gabi - Take two minutes and go to Gabi.com/HISTORICAL to see if you can save up to $865 a year on car insurance! Grove Collaborative - Go to Grove.co/HISTORICAL and get a FREE 5-piece Spring Cleaning Set from Mrs. Meyer’s and Grove— a $30 value! Simon & Schuster - One Giant Leap is full of surprises as it chronicles mankind’s greatest achievement and its enduring legacy. Available wherever books are sold.

In July 1981, Princess Diana became the first non-royal to marry into the British Royal family in centuries. As the Princess of Wales, she became a style icon and a humanitarian force, all while contending with the very public infidelity of her husband, Charles, heir apparent to the British Throne. Parcasters - Is there any truth behind the rumored society that protects the secrets of the Holy Grail? Learn more about the Priory of Sion on this week’s episode of Conspiracy Theories!

Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first woman Prime Minister. For more than a decade, she spearheaded conservative politics from a seat of power in the British Parliament. To some she was a hero, and to others, she was a monster.  Parcasters - This week on Crimes of Passion we take on the infamous case of Lorena and John Bobbitt! You won’t want to miss this one! Listen today on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Anyone who has ever enjoyed a wine and cheese night owes their good time to Louis Pasteur. This 19th century microbiologist and chemist developed the process now called pasteurization, as well as the first vaccine for rabies. Not only was Pasteur the father of germ theory, he was also a master of disguise, often using deception to outsmart his rivals and come out on top.

In December 1955, Rosa Parks made history by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. Her resolve In the face of unfair treatment based on the color of her skin stands as a key point of the Civil Rights Movement.