Historical Figures

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With a new look, a new name, and an entertaining take on history, we are now called Historical Figures - formerly known as Remarkable Lives. Tragic Deaths (iTunes’ Best Debuts of 2016)- brings people who shaped history to life! New episodes will drop every other Wednesday, so don’t forget to subscribe! Listen to this trailer to learn more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices