Important People
The twentieth century was shaped by scientists, leaders, civil rights workers, entertainers, and so many more. Learn more about some of the influential people who molded the century, including both the heroes and the villains.
A to Z List of Famous People of the 20th Century
Looking for someone in particular? Browse through this alphabetical listing of people who shaped the twentieth century.
Looking for someone in particular? Browse through this alphabetical listing of people who shaped the twentieth century.
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth is often referred to as the greatest baseball player who ever lived. In 22 seasons, Babe Ruth hit a record 714 home runs. Many of Babe Ruth's numerous records for both pitching and hitting lasted for decades. Learn more about one of the most famous athletes of all time.
Babe Ruth is often referred to as the greatest baseball player who ever lived. In 22 seasons, Babe Ruth hit a record 714 home runs. Many of Babe Ruth's numerous records for both pitching and hitting lasted for decades. Learn more about one of the most famous athletes of all time.
Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple
Jim Jones, the leader of the Peoples Temple cult, was both charismatic and disturbed. Jones had a vision for a better world and established the Peoples Temple to help make that happen. Unfortunately, his unstable personality eventually overcame him and he became responsible for the deaths of over 900 people, most of whom committed "revolutionary suicide" at the Jonestown compound in Guyana.
Jim Jones, the leader of the Peoples Temple cult, was both charismatic and disturbed. Jones had a vision for a better world and established the Peoples Temple to help make that happen. Unfortunately, his unstable personality eventually overcame him and he became responsible for the deaths of over 900 people, most of whom committed "revolutionary suicide" at the Jonestown compound in Guyana.
Stephen Ambrose
Popular historian Stephen Ambrose, most well-known for his numerous World War II books, wrote over thirty books and made history a popular pastime.
Popular historian Stephen Ambrose, most well-known for his numerous World War II books, wrote over thirty books and made history a popular pastime.
Gandhi
Mohatma Gandhi is considered the father of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi spent twenty years in South Africa working to fight discrimination. It was there that he created his concept of satyagraha. While in India, Gandhi's obvious virtue, simplistic lifestyle, and minimal dress endeared him to the people. He spent his remaining years working diligently to both remove British rule from India as well as to better the lives of India's poorest classes.
Mohatma Gandhi is considered the father of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi spent twenty years in South Africa working to fight discrimination. It was there that he created his concept of satyagraha. While in India, Gandhi's obvious virtue, simplistic lifestyle, and minimal dress endeared him to the people. He spent his remaining years working diligently to both remove British rule from India as well as to better the lives of India's poorest classes.
Howard Hughes
Howard Hughes was a businessman, a movie producer, and an aviator; however, he is perhaps best remembered for spending his later years as an eccentric, reclusive billionaire.
Howard Hughes was a businessman, a movie producer, and an aviator; however, he is perhaps best remembered for spending his later years as an eccentric, reclusive billionaire.
J. K. Rowling
J. K. Rowling is the author of the hugely popular Harry Potter books. How did she come up with the complex story of the wizarding world? Where did the name Potter come from? Who was Hermione Granger based upon? Learn more about this famous author in this biography of her life.
J. K. Rowling is the author of the hugely popular Harry Potter books. How did she come up with the complex story of the wizarding world? Where did the name Potter come from? Who was Hermione Granger based upon? Learn more about this famous author in this biography of her life.
Leon Trotsky
Leon Trotsky was a Communist theorist, prolific writer, and a leader in the 1917 Russian Revolution. Exiled from the Soviet Union after losing a power struggle over Lenin's successorship to Stalin, Trotsky was brutally assassinated in 1940.
Leon Trotsky was a Communist theorist, prolific writer, and a leader in the 1917 Russian Revolution. Exiled from the Soviet Union after losing a power struggle over Lenin's successorship to Stalin, Trotsky was brutally assassinated in 1940.