Most Popular Leaders in History They may have ruled empires or nations or even small clans; but they

are respected for their remarkable leadership qualities. Here are brief biographies of famous leaders in history of the world. (*Click on the image for an enlarged view.) Alexander, the Great (356 - 323 BC) Alexander the Great, or Alexander III of Macedon, is one of the most famous rulers in history who conquered nearly half of the world. His empire extended from Ionian Sea to the Himalayas. Alexander discovered around 20 cities. When talking about the physical appearance of Alexander, one peculiar feature found is his eye color. One of his eye was blue and the other brown. He was also widely known for his decisive, stubborn and calculating nature. He died in Babylon in 323 BC at the young age of 32. Although shortlived and short reigned, he is known as the greatest military geniuses of all times. Julius Caesar (100 BC - 44 BC) Gaius Julius Caesar, a politician, an orator, a general, and an author, was one of the greatest leaders of Rome and the world. He played an important role in extending the Roman empire, making it one of the most powerful empires in his times. Julius Caesar paved way for an imperial system, and his heir Augustus was crowned the first Roman emperor. Caesar is also popular for his affair with Cleopatra VII of Egypt. He introduced the Julian calendar; and also was the first ruler to have coinage issued with his name. Similar to Alexander, Julius Caesar has also inspired many other generals all over the world. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821) Napoleon Bonaparte, or Napoleon I of France, is a popular figure in history. He was a general in the French army who rose to power after the French revolution. Ironically, the French revolution which had overthrown monarchy, crowned Napoleon as the new emperor. Napoleon is noted for his success in the Napoleonic Wars with every major European power. He broadened the French empire to great extent and is well-known for his war strategies and tactics. However, his army was defeated in the Peninsular War and also during the invasion of Russia. Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821. Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865) Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America, is one of the greatest leaders in American history. He is ranked among the top 3 great Presidents of the United States (the other two being George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt). Lincoln headed the country in the American Civil War to abolish slavery and apartheid. The Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Lincoln freed nearly 3 million slaves in

different states of America. He was assassinated in 1865 by a Confederate sympathizer, John Booth. Lincoln was the first US President ever to be assassinated. Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a prominent political leader in the Indian Independence struggle. His ideology of 'Satyagraha' or nonviolence led to freedom of India from the British rule. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. The Gandhian ideology or doctrine or non-violence inspired many other leaders all over the world; most notable being Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. In India, Mahatma Gandhi is known as the Father of the Nation and his picture appears on all paper currency. His birthday, 2nd October, is celebrated as a National or public holiday in India. Vladimir Lenin (1870 - 1924) Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was one of the most popular and influential figures of the early 20th century. It was under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, a Bolshevik leader, that the Russian revolution took place in 1917. The Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government and Lenin became Head of the Soviet State. Lenin's philosophy is wellknown as Leninism or Marxism-Leninism, which was a guiding doctrine for the formation of USSR. Several radical and social reforms took place in the Soviet State under the leadership of Lenin. The embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin is on public display at Lenin's Mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow. Apart from those mentioned above, history has witnessed many more capable rulers all over the world. The following is an alphabetic list of world's greatest leaders inclusive of all those who enjoyed great power and also those who strived hard for the betterment of their countrymen. Augustus (Roman empire) Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini (Iran) Benazir Bhutto (Pakistan) Frederick, The Great (Prussia) Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt) Genghis Khan (Mongolia) Golda Meir (Israel) Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) Indira Gandhi (India) Jawaharlal Nehru (India) Joseph Stalin (Russia) Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar (Mughal empire) Kim Dae Jung (South Korea) Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistan) Mao Zedong (China) Mikhail Gorbachev (Russia) Mustafa Kemal, or Atatrk (Turkey)

Nicolae Ceausescu (Romania) Oliver Cromwell (England) Queen Elizabeth I (England) Sun Yat Sen (China) Winston Churchill (United Kingdom) Yasser Arafat (Palestine) Yitzhak Rabin (Israel) Great Leaders in American History The aforementioned were some of the greatest leaders in the world. Now, if you are looking for the most famous leaders of the United States of America, then here is the list: George Washington Thomas Jefferson Theodore Roosevelt John F. Kennedy Martin Luther King, Jr. Ronald Reagan Franklin Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt Douglas MacArthur General Dwight Eisenhower Rosa Parks