THE TEN GREATEST PEOPLE OF THE 20TH CENTURY

I don't know if I could put together a list of the 10 greatest there are too many. I would think that for the the most famous...

John F. Kennedy

would make the list.

Chris: Thank you. John F Kennedy was very popular indeed. But for what was he famous?

I would have to say Harriet Beecher Stowe. BTW-Who was Alphonse Pigeau-Quoi de Longueuil?

For being from a younger generation and for being the first Catholic ever to successfully run for the office. He later became known for his role in the Cuban missile crisis and the blockade of Cuba. Other accomplishments were cut short by his death.

Ten greatest in the 20Th century would have to include Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Harry Truman, Charles De Gaulle(?), Eisenhower and Eisenstein. If I were to include Kennedy it would be for launching the space program with atarget of putting a man on the moon in ten years. I know there are persons in the field of medicine and related sciences, worthy of inclusion, but I don't recall the necessary names.

Who would you name, Thomas?

Kylee,

Do you mean the little lady who started the Civil War?

Kylee: Thank you. Yes, Harriet Beecher Stowe might well qualify for the list. It is a difficult list to compile. Alphonse's fame is eclipsed only by his greatness.

Alexander Graham Bell belongs on the list for the 19th Century. Yes, he died in 1919 but his most significant and far reaching accomplisments took place before 1900.

HBS died in 1896. Disqualified.

James: Thank you for your comments. It is possible that some may consider your criteria for including John F Kennedy on the list might very well be criteria for excluding him. Some of the people you named are already included on my list; others were merely politicians.

Wm H: You are right. Thank you for pointing that out.

About Kennedy in addition to what was already said about him I think the younger generation (At least my children when I asked them) would say he was famous for being a president and for being shot/killed in Dallas.

In my opinion, Erma Bombeck would beat out Anne Frank.

You stated 'greatest or most famous' not 'admired'. With that criteria, Hitler would hit the list.

Chris: Thank you for your comment. You are correct, however the criteria you mentioned were not among those I chose to create my list.

Therese: Thank you for your comments. I am not able to judge between Erma Bombeck and Anne Frank. I think Anne is better known. Re Hitler, yes he was on a list of 'famous' people, along with Stalin and other unsavory characters, from which I made my selection. I emphasized the word 'great' rather than 'famous' or 'well known' as I did not wish to give those kinds of people any recognition. The less said about them the better. I chose people who made a positive contribution to society.

Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad and fourth Calif
Abdu'l'Baha (Sir Abbas Effendi) of the Baha'i Faith

I deliberately exclude Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, Buddha, Baha'u'llah, etc. because they are not really "persons" in the normal sense. In fact, I do not believe that they are or were "human beings" as we are but one level higher on the evolutionary list.

Donald: Thank you for your contribution. I believe some of the names you mentioned are pre-20th century, however 'Abdu'l-Baha does qualify.

Kay: Thank you for your contribution. Some people would argue that we were already free when these various troops went into battle, that they did nothing to increase our freedom, and that we would still be just as free had they not gone to war. "Those who fought for our freedom" is a worn out cliche that has lost all of its original meaning. The truth is that the U.S. is a very aggressive nation out to control as much of the world as it can. Freedom has nothing to do with it; it is really all about domination.

Kay: It's nice talking to you. Please keep in touch.

Thomas,

I hardly considered being assassinated a great accomplishment. The kids don't remember the Cuban Missile crisis. And future generations won't remember the things your kids do. But those who study history will be aware of real accomplishments. On that line, accomplishment and fame don't necessarily go together. Madame Curie has not been mentioned although her work has affected the history of mankind. And Thomas Edison certainly contributed much to mankind, probably more than Bell.

Harry Truman is significant because he made the decision which for all time has changed warfare, for better or worse! Let's face it, the people in the most likely position to make significant impact are politicians. As a great man, I'd have to include Jimmy Carter, although most folks would look only at this presidency and take issue with that. To me, he is the first elected president to add integrity to the office of the president. I'm sure others did before my time.

Actually, when you combine famous, that would have to include John Wilkes Boothe and Hitler! Not to mention John Wayne and Betty Grable! Combining both famous and great into one question is a little broad, don't you think?

James: Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I certainly have to agree with you. I really meant to emphasize greatness in the most positive terms.

Thomas: To me, "greatness" has nothing to do with popularity. Jesus, for instance, was not popular at all in His day. Even His best supporter denighed Him three times. He could be classified as one of the least popular people in human history but was undoubtedly "one of the greatest" in the view of a whole lot of people. My inclusion of Ali was an ooops. I forgot your limitation as to the 20th century. Also, Jesus might not be eligible even in His century because He cannot be classified as an ordinary human being per se. Abdu'l-Baha, though, who I'm sure most people have never heard of, was in my opinion THE GREATEST HUMAN BEING of the 20th century, and yet he is known only to a few. His fame will grow with time, though and then will be recognized as I do now.

Donald: I couldn't agree with you more.