Most Influential People of All Time

Leaders and founders of charismatic movements have a comparative advantage on the scale of influence, compared with scientists, politicians, or literary philosophers. The actions and motivations of later individuals can be more directly traced back to the actions and ideas of leaders who are themselves outspoken and charismatic; thus, the charismatic leaders' influence becomes more readily apparent and well-established.

It's no coincidence that in the current top five are the founders of three of the world's major religions (Jesus, 1; Mohammed, 2; Buddha, 4). Mahatma Gandhi (3) and Adolf Hitler (5), likewise were founders of charismatic movements, the former for peace and the latter for war.

Religion especially often serves as a uniquely strong motivating force for a person's actions. Given that 2 out of every 7 people alive today profess Christian faith, and given that Christianity has made significant inroads on every inhabited continent, it is entirely fair to say ...more

God created all of us, nothing would exist if God had not created the Earth. We live in a broken world. We live this way because of sin, the sin Adam and Eve created for us all in the beginning. And our lives do not stop. We do not die. All Christians are taken up into heaven where we meet him face to face. We will rejoice and live in heaven until Jesus returns. He will save all the people on the Earth. He will return when every single person least expects it. It could be tomorrow, could be a 1 million years. Then he will destroy this broken Earth. Destroy our bodies and we will be given new ones. Perfect bodies. All pain and suffering gone too. I can't wait for this to happen.

Christ's teachings, even in a secular perspective, led to Europe's reform to Christianity (starting with the Roman emperor Constantine). This led to some very big struggles, such as the Thirty Years War and the Crusades, as well as other conflicts such as the Great Schism and of course, the Reformation. None of these monumental historical events would have occurred if it weren't for Christ's teachings. Of course, Christ's teachings led Europe to become more pious and develop a regional unity through religion -- naturally, Christ didn't intend to cause any conflicts. His teachings also paved the way for the rise of Islam in the Middle East, which was also quite monumental, as Islam had spread from the Middle East, to Africa, to central Asia, even to Indonesia. Christ's teachings motivated people to do great things, to conquer their fears and fulfill an insurmountable duty, such as Joan of Arc leading the French armies against English invaders in the Hundred Years' War. His teachings ...more

Jesus Christ, part of the Holy Trinity, was indeed the most influential person on Earth, not really a person, he was God, in the flesh. He has definitely influenced lots of people, healed people, taught others about Christianity leading them to repent and ask Jesus to be their savior, got crucified on the cross so everyone who repented could go to heaven, and has done many other things. Almost every single person on Earth has heard about Jesus Christ, a few of those people got saved, I am grateful for that. I am thankful for hearing about God because he gave every person on Earth unending love and let his son, Jesus Christ die on the cross to pay for all our sins, and I repented and accepted Jesus as my savior. Definitely the most influential person/God ever of all time, and will always be the #1, God is working through others who believe on him to spread His word to other people so they can be saved, he is that influential.

He was the man of true justice. He was with peace those who deserve peace and respected peace. He was there for law and order and not some silly baba or pandit who just say few words of peace and doesn't not actually guide or show the direction to attain peace in this world and hear after. My fellow Christians don't know that the founder of Christianity is not Jesus it's St. Paul. No matter how much I love Jesus the son of mary peace be upon him, he can't be the most influential person because he doesn't not meet the requirement.

Listen I don't know a lot about Muhammad or the Islam religion but I do know one thing Muhammad was a man. one reason that Christians believe that Jesus was the son of God is because he was perfect and only God can be perfect. Muhammad was human meaning he was not perfect and sinful because humans are sinful in nature, this is the difference between Muhammad and Jesus. only one was 100% human and the other was 100% human and 100% God that is why I believe in the one and only savior JESUS CHRIST.

Prophet Muhammad was a prophet of peace and love to the whole world. His teachings influenced billions around the world. Moreover Prophet Muhammad told his people that his message is universal. He believed in peace and unity, and spread his message using the word. However, people in our modern day are interpreting it the wrong way, they are translating the holy book the way they want, they basically take what they want, and leave what they don't need... Prophet Muhammad seemed for forgiveness for those who believed in him, and those who didn't. He treated every one equally, he gave his servant from the same clothes he wore, and let him he eat for the same plate he ate with, and let him sleep on the same mattress he slept on... At last, I would like to ask the readers to acknowledge that not everyone he says he is a muslim represents islam, like ISIS they claim to represent it but they actually do the opposite, fellow readers don't judge the whole religion and prophet based on what the ...more

Amazing beyond description... Hard to say enough about how true my great this man was... More influential than anyone else will ever dream to be. I respect Gandhi but Muhammad pbuh and Gandhi can't be put on the same list together. Please educate yourself before you talk about this man who gave up everything so that you and I could join him in heaven. Please respect him all you can by following his examples and being the kindest, bravest, and humblest human you can be. Prophet Muhammad is a treasure to the human race. He's the best and most powerful human that will ever walk this earth because he preached the truth. He truly believed in Allah, and that is why he is still remembered today. That is why he's the best human of all time.

He should be on the top of the list.
Jesus on the top of the list!
For advocating deadly things for human. For example:
Mathews:Jesus condemns entire cities to dreadful deaths and to the eternal torment of hell because they didn't care for his preaching. 11:20-24
Mark:Jesus says that those that believe and are baptized will be saved, while those who don't will be damned. 16:16
Luke:
Jesus says that entire cities will be violently destroyed and the inhabitants "thrust down to hell" for not "receiving" his disciples. 10:10-15

He lived what he taught, what more to say. His opponents admired him silently. He made millions to march for a common cause. He infused courage and pride in Indian women by handing over some of the most important campaigns of Indian independence movement. For his whole life, he advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and ridiculed evils of Indian society like untouchability. His patience, courage and ideas behind non-violence are simply adorable.

The most remembered and respected personality till in the world.
The reservations were only bad thing he did.
But still inspired by hi M.
Hope he even inspires you people to the core.
Just have a look at his good things.
Even some bad things people remember but they don't try to know the reason behind it for example the India-Pakistan partition crisis.

A man who believed truth. According to him only truth prevails. With this statement he swayed masses into his wing. I think the Gandhi-Irwin pact was one of his greatest achievements.His has also influenced nelson mandela, martin luther, barack obama and many others. He must be regarded as the saviour of the world.

Siddhartha left all of his possessions, his pampered life, his food, and even his family to gain the true knowledge of suffering and to find enlightenment. I am an Anthropologist that specializes in religion. The Buddha has influenced so many people in China, Tibet, India, Japan etc. This once rich, famous prince gave up everything he had, becoming a man of the land and became divine. His followers confronted and meditated with Jesus himself.

Praise be to Shakyamuni Buddha ^^ if sources are to be believed, his teachings even influenced Jesus Christ. So I believe (although unknowingly to most) that he is the most positively influential person in history. Certainly he was the father of human rights, since his teachings were the first to place all sentient beings as equals. there would have been no Jesus, or Ghandi, or Martin luther king, or Nelson Mandela if The Buddha had not gotten the wheel of compassion and love to mankind started all those years ago...

Lord Buddha was one of the first men to realise the true nature of life and spread it to the rest of the world. His teachings have bought so much good into this world and have helped many people to lead a happy and peaceful life. definitely the most positively influential person to have ever lived.

BUDDHA was a predictor of human aspects on earth even in todays modern world his words are marked by the common man.When a man says that 'I am having a mountain of difficulties in front of me' The words of Buddha said centuries ago,inspire that common man to face his difficulties even today BUDDHA SAID" Instead of blaming the mountain for being so high find a way to climb it out! "

The greatest man ever. Fools voted for religion. Gandhi is among the most influential people, but should not be above Einstein, the most influential person of all time.

We can say nothing about him. We are all fools before him. The greatest human ever that the world can never have him again. He should have lived above 100 yrs and if it happened the world would have been even good. Thanks to him

An influential man, I certainly will remember him. (Not just because he shares my birthday) but he was also a dreamer. Dreamers are the hardest thing to find these days.

He is the single most important person in human history...he literally gave us the language of whatever God is. Setting the stage for future discoveries.

Darwin came up with the theory of evolution, and I greatly admire him for it, considering he was a Christian.. If it weren't for him I might be a Christian, when I am strongly atheist. And the pressure he was under; he was in a creationist world, his book the Origin of Species was ridiculed, yet he didn't keep his theory hidden for fear of this happening- he showed it to the world and changed the subject of science forever.

Science has the answer to every question of the universe. Charles Darwin proved this. We may not have the answer to everything, but we will in the future. Charles Darwin was that future for the millions of deceased humans that lived in the planet before He (Charles Darwin) created His theory. May science emphasize him. Religion is nothing but an excuse for why we are here, because anybody could have made it up. In science there is proof. In religion there is myth. The fact is that proof >•10^∞ myth.

Darwin changed the way the scientific view views humans in the universe. He gave us the tools to truly trace humanity's origins through verifiable means, and made it possible to answer how we got here in the first place.

EVERY person in the advanced world knows who he is, what he did & either has come to understand about our existence thanks to him or holds strong opposing beliefs. Either way... He changed "life" for EVERYONE.

He was the most influential American ever. I always imitate him when speaking in public. I am a victim of racism and I will always support the civil rights movement. He was the leader of America. If he was born some years later, I think he would replace Obama.

Promoted equality between all people and things. With out him we may still be stuck with the clouded ideas of "justice" and "fairness" we once had.

I love MLK but I find it very sad that he was assassinated, Such a loving and caring man who stood up for so many people. He should of at least died peacefully at an old age instead of being murdered by some thug.R.I. P MLK, Gone but never forgotten

I choose martin Luther king becurse he was willing to go to jail just to change the way white people thought about black people.

Other than Jesus Christ, Paul is my favorite person in the Bible. He went though so much, yet didn't complain at all. He pointed to Christ in every situation. He was (in my opinion) the most influential apostle. The books in the Bible that he wrote are not only a comfort for many, but strength for those who are crumbling under struggles and pressure. Martin Luther looked to the Apostle Paul as one of his inspirations, so how did Martin Luther go above Apostle Paul? Even though they all lived for the Glory of Jesus Christ, I know for a fact that the Apostle Paul is more influential than Martin Luther. If Martin Luther was alive... he'd agree too.

I am not sure how Martin Luther is above the Apostle Paul, as it was the Book of Romans and the book Galatians that fuelled Luther to the Reformation. If it was not for Paul then Luther have never been known... As well as Paul had a great influence on the other Apostles and Peter, making Paul's influence felt higher than Peter's despite Pope claims. And don't forget that Paul was in a scene was Luke's mentor, making Paul the most influential person under Jesus. Because in the end the Apostles and Christians, Pope's and all live for the Glory of Jesus Christ.

Paul is to Christianity as Mohammad is to Islam. Forgive me for making such a tasteless comparison. But he was the man that was given responsibility to go out and make deciples of gentiles. Which is most of the people today. Gentiles (non Jews) and I'm fairly certain he accomplished the purpose the Lord gave him. Apostle Paul.

Paul should be listed in the second spot, his mission and ministry reached not only the Jewish people but also non-Jews and aided in the movement that became Christianity. His writings are critical to the Christian faith.

He's well-known for physics, but he also invented differential and integral calculus, came up with color theory, studied the speed of sound, he was an astronomer who built the first reflecting telescope... He was arguably the single most important thinker in human history. He contributed to everything.

The whole world follow the laws and theories of Isaac newton. I feel he should be number one, not because I don't love jesus and all, but because newton is followed by literally the whole world but jesus on the other hand has a small majority of the human population. Newton is the basis of all modern modern science, even einteint at some point had to apply newtons pricipals

Why is Isaac Newton not higher? Pretty sad that anyone would think a video game designer is more influential then Isaac Newton. Ranking Einstein ahead of Isaac Newton is like saying Sidney Crosby is a better hockey player then Wayne Gretzky, this list is retarded

He invented calculus. He should be next to like, Muhammed and Jesus. He pretty much helped bring about the entire Scientific Revolution, which led to innumerable innovations in medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy.

Are you joking? Is this just an American Idol site? Has there been any hack on this side to vote Hitler this far down? He wasn't any Hero at all, for most, at least...
He has been some Austrian guy, who tried to conquer the world. In my eyes he was a moron but he changed more than anybody could do in history. He is the worst Badass of all time. And how could he be that low in this rating. He was the one who really has shown mankind the not so kind site. He is the reason to evolve people and showing all of us, how not to be...
If this hasn't been an accomplishment, what it is, then? Shall we all stay cowards and letten be situations and will ever learn about anything? Hitler made us more human and if he didn't, why are we still living...

Adolf Hitler: leader, politician, public speaker, job creator, loyal and patriotic, this man had changed the world in a way no one had ever seen before, and if you don't think single handedly creating a world war isn't influential, you are dead wrong. This man was a terrific politician, in his time he created millions of jobs and pulled Germany out of the debt toilet that the first world war left them in. He was a brilliant public speaker: he waged wars on what he thought was the right thing and his entire country supported his ideas. Hitler ignited fires of war, he was responsible for starting the second world war: which propelled technological advancements to a whole new level never seen before. Picture the first man on the moon: America would have never gotten anywhere near the moon without Hitler. It was the competition between the Soviets and the Americans, which was a direct result of the war, that drove the Americans to the moon. Without Hitler, the USSR would have never ...more

Hitler this low shows how dumb people are. Jesus at #1 alone let mankind look dumb, but Hitler not even in top 10 is really showing what idiots are voting here? Is there a bot voting? I mean, is this really what people think? Hitler led in to one of the darkest hours in the history of men and still is one of the most influential. He changed cultural importances like none before. To make sure how ridicuolis some names above him are, I will name some:
Michael Jordan, a Basketball player, serious?
Tupac Shakur, a Hip Hop artist, really?
Walt Disney, a guy who has made famous cartoons, still not influential like Hitler...
Has someone with a loads of Twitter or Facebook followers made people vote in his mind? Seems like that people forgot, what history is about and that mostly politicians are the ones who are and will changing history. Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedung and many others had influence on this world like no others. But Hitler maybe wasn't the most brutal one but he ist ...more

Ok, somehow hard to write here. I don't think Jesus isn't that big anymore. Maybe in the US but elsewhere? I don't know.

Hitler as a leader wasn't worse than Stalin or Mao Zedong (I mean the tough side; they all were bad persons who killed millions). But he had more influence on people and still has, than both of them.

So what I mean is:

He is responsible for USA and USSR to gain the state of superpowers. Without him, the atomic bomb, either wouldn't have been invented, or would have been later invented.

Also Germany wouldn't have lost it's state as a science centre of the whole world, which is still discussable by asking was it good or bad?! (They had scientists none reached till today).

First man on moon, as ridiculous it sounds, wouldn't have been without him that fast. It was the competition between Soviets and Americans, which was a result of WW2 and the engaging of German scientists after the war (What wouldn't have happened, if WW2 hasn't ...more

Without Constantine, there may be no discussion about the merits of Jesus Christ. Constantine helped lay the foundation for what is the modern Catholic church and was instrumental in organizing its members to determine a uniform Christian doctrine (First Council of Nicaea) without which the church would fractured and most likely never would have gained the success it did. Whether good or bad, Constantine paved the way for converting the greatest nation the world had ever seen into the center for the Holy Roman Church.

He changed the course of history, two of his major decisions the foundation of Constantinople and his conversion to Christianity had profound impact on history. Our world would have been different without him, probably still in the dark ages. Besides he was a great statesman and a superb military leader.

Although I don't agree with eveyting he did, he did make christianity last througout the dark ages dispite the deaths of all the leaders of the church that christ organized and I think that's pretty good. Not to mention extremely influential.

He helped the Catholic Church greatly but for selfish reasons

Actually Martin Luther King Jr's birth name was Michael Lewis King. His father changed his name to Martin Luther King first. Some say his father insisted that his oldest son's name was incorrectly recorded as Michael at birth, implying that the boy was named after reformer Martin Luther. Some accounts state that both names were changed in 1934 when Jr. was 5 yrs. old. Other biographers state that King Jr. changed his name as a teenager to once again be named after his father. However this was never files legally like other religious figures such as the disciple Simon and the apostle Paul. I do not know much about Martin Luther but I have high respect, admiration and love for Martin Luther King Jr.

Is this about Martin Luther, or Martin Luther King Jr? Martin Luther is the Christian reformationist, and Martin Luther King Jr is the campaigner for black rights in the USA. Considering the lack of 'King' after the name, it seems most people are ignorant of the original Martin Luther. The original Martin Luther is probably the reason Martin Luther King Jr's parents named him Martin Luther, and probably also the reason his father was named Martin Luther as well (Martin Luther King Sr).

For those of you who are confused. No, this is not the Martin Luther King Jr., the man who gave the "I have a dream speech." Although he is very important and an inspiration to me and millions of others. Martin Luther was a monk and the creator of Lutheranism. He was born in Germany and lived from 1483 to 1546. Martin Luther was also a composer, theology professor, and priest, but he's mostly known as a monk.

Guys go back to 7th grade! He was the man who started the Reformation in the 1500s, not the Civil Rights Movement. He was though, very influential. He started Lutheranism, which started the formation of other Protestant Churches.

This great man built a huge box like building in the middle of a desert that still stands today and over a billion+ people face It to pray 5 times a day every day for all their life. Need I say more? Great prophet of God. Peace be upon Abraham.

Without Abraham, there would be no Jesus. Jesus himself was Jewish and he was the first to establish a monotheistic religion, setting an example for the rest of the world. Definitely should be higher.

The original monotheist, whose theological foundation has spread to the entire world through Christianity and Islam. He should be much higher up.

Sorry if this is offending, but if a person tried to kill their own kid because god said to
today, the would be put in a mental hospital.

What Hitler number 11 seriously people. I don't suppose the K would be on this list as well. Hitler is one of Histories biggest idiots. Why, because he refused to listen to a number of his greatest generals, and instead turned the focus to genocide. He was the man who had the world within his grasp, and pathetically lost it due to arrogance, racism, and his tactics. Their were planes that were made to be the best fighter planes in the world, and he instead used it for bombing countries he had already half conquered. Hitler sucked. While my number one pick would be Jesus, Gandhi, or King jr, I have to pick Lincoln just because of how low he is on this list. I mean seriously people wake up, and realize the incredible significance Lincoln's administration had to the SURVIVAL of the the U.S.A.

71 are you @&$ serious? As a white Australian I still rate him as the no1. The one man who brought equality to every man at no consideration to himsel! We shall be so lucky that we ever have a leader half his worth in this world again. Look at the list above, haha a list written by people with no vision or respect!

"that government of the people by the people for the people shall not perish on this earth"
"trusting on Him who can go with me and remain with you, I confidently hope that all will yet be well."
"I am a firm believer in the people, if given accurate information they can be relied upon to meet any national crisis"

Indeed, one of the few who truly recognize themselves as human beings. Those who know the majesty of nature constructed by altruism and consideration.

He is the King of Pop, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and won the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year.
He is the greatest music artist of all time.

His musical genuis and humble humanitarian work places him among the greats. It's not about what you do for a living but what you've done for others that will matter in the end. Michael has helped so many people outside of his charity work. He's truly a role model and a hero. The way Michael experienced betrayal and adversity by showing love and true class, that is why he is loved all across the globe and truly one of the most influential individuals. Long Live The King!

No one has more impact on our society than Michael. Listen to his songs and his message. And all the money from his concert tours that he donated to help the poor. He was a great humanitarian and an inspiration to all.

They didn't call him the king of pop for no reason from dance moves that have inspired most musicians of today and one of the biggest givers in the music business.

Nelson Mandela is amazing! My family is African and we had to leave Africa because of apatite and just as we left he got out of prison. I'm so proud of my country now because of what he has done and even today he brings great happiness to my family.

A selfless leader, modest, popular and yet a down to earth global icon who paid most of his attention to people he leads and "suffer little children" thus the Mandela Children Fund came to being. He's one African who walk the talk..

He the father of reconciliation in our country... He led ANC post apartheid and became 1st black president. To his memorial service over 100 heads of states attended that shows how influence and powerful he was not only S. A but rest of the world.

Nelson is the most influential and important black man in history, and should be at least number three on this list! When he died, I felt like a part of my soul had gone to hell.

A massive contributor to every field of human knowledge. He started on nearly nothing and ended up as the near-sole basis of all science for almost two thousand years. Possibly the only person in human history to have known everything there is to know in his time, a true polymath. His metaphysics still hold clear merit in the modern world, and much of how we see and separate the sciences is derived from him.

The basis of many scientific theories and philosophies come from Aristotle, along with his direct contribution to history as the teacher of Alexander the Great and inspiration to other philosophers/scientists such as Rene Descartes.

He basically created the philosophy of the west, it would be madness not to add him. You hear me? MADNESS!

The famous Greek philosopher himself, created great things, teacher of Alexander the Great.

I am just going to say that this man spread democracy through out Europe.
If it wasn't for him then europe would still be a continent ruled by absolute monarchy. Stop right their and just think about it in his time their was legit no other country besides the US that is a democracy. This man also spread the idea of equality.

French statesman, king of France, the most brilliant general of his time, he won series of splendid victories against England, Russia and Austria in 1805. He was defeated in the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815 and exiled to St Helena, where he died in 1821.

He was a political reformer and brought glory to France. He did not kill his own people like Stalin, he was well educated and he seeked peace when he became an emperor but his enemies regarded him as a traitor and that is why he fought against them.

He should be third or second in utmost importance. The man has impacted every event since the Napoleonic War in someway and changed history, also bringing the most greatest power France had ever had till that point in time.

Obviously he is a nobody

I voted for him as a joke.

Ben belongs in the top 10, easy.

George Washington was a dick. he killed natives and was and ectreme racist he was like donald trump kind of he was a major racist donald trump is a major racist exept trump is kind of like Hitler as well. I am not trying to say that george Washington was like Hitler because he was liek donald trump I want't to say he is a stupid racist like trump.

Thanks to him, we have America. And how much has america given us? Well, They are one of the largest economies, One of the largest militaries, Huge influence over other countries

AND the revisionist dumbing-down of the American education system is complete. Some of the posts here reflect the most brainwashed SJW's anywhere.

He was general of the us army and unanimously elected president? How is that not important and influential

The founder of quantum mechanics. Should definitely be number one, without any question of any kind.

He developed the foundation of our law system today.

Take care my baywatch pc