Who are the most influential Britons of all time? Many names will seem familiar to you, but what exactly did these people mean and what did they do? An English TV channel held an election for "most influential Briton" several years ago. Learn more about these extraordinary people! We start with number 5 and will end with the Brit who was voted the most influential Brit of all time.
Number 5: William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616)
English playwright, poet and actor William Shakespeare is considered the greatest English writer and the world's greatest playwright. He is the "National Poet" and "The Bard" of the UK. His approximate works include 39 plays, 154 sonnets and 3 story poems. His plays have been translated into every living language and Shakespeare is still performed more often than any other playwright. Among his absolute best works are the tragedies written before 1609, especially Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth.
Number 4: Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882)
English naturalist, geologist and biologist Charles Robert Darwin brought us the theory of evolution. He came up with the theory that all terrestrial life species descend from a shared ancestor. From there, they evolve according to the principle of natural selection, in which the "struggle for life" determines which species and characteristics are transmitted and which disappear.
Number 3: Diana Frances Spencer (1961 - 1997)
As the first wife of the current British heir to the throne, Charles, the Prince of Wales, Diana (Lady Di) was a member of the British Royal Family (Princess of Wales). She is the mother of Princes William and Harry. In a short time, this rebellious princess made a deep impression on the British people: as a media star and fashionista, as well as an activist and charity worker.
In a special way, she focused on improving the living conditions of children and the elderly, cancer patients and persons with mental illnesses. Her campaigns for the social acceptance of AIDS patients and the removal of landmines in old war zones took the crown.
Number 2: Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806 - 1859)
Englishman Brunel was an engineer and one of the most important figures of the Industrial Revolution. He built docks, railroads, steamships, bridges and tunnels. Brunel stands out in particular for his innovative solutions to long-standing engineering problems. Among other things, he built the first tunnel under a navigable river (the Thames) and the first iron propelled steamship. His Great Western Railway, meanwhile, set the standard for well-built railroads, and he introduced numerous new construction techniques, bridges, viaducts and tunnels.
Number 1: Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was an English politician and multiple Prime Minister. He receives the title of Greatest Briton primarily for his efforts as Prime Minister during World War II (1939/45). As early as the 1930s, Churchill was the main opponent of the policy of peace toward Adolf Hitler and his policy of expansion. In September 1939, his opposition proved well-founded and Britain also ended up in the greatest war conflict of the 20th century.
In May 1940, Churchill takes office as Prime Minister to revitalize and better organize the British war effort. With inspired speeches and direct popular consultations, he secures the morale of his citizens in the most difficult circumstances. Especially during 1940/41, when Germany conquered Europe and neither Russia nor America played along, he managed to distinguish himself as a political and military leader.
The greatest Dutchman
An election for The Greatest Dutchman was also held in the Netherlands. The place of honor is awarded by most voters to the Father of the Netherlands, William of Orange. Famous painters Rembrandt and Van Gogh are also in the top 10.