Historical Figures

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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