Topic: Deserted Island Historical Figures Draft

[charlie]

I'm with you all on the peak thing - though I should note that I am equally fascinated by many of these people as kids - comes with aspiring to child psychology...So perhaps they could shift ages while they are on the island?

Fine by me. When it's time to vote nobody's going to remember what you said, so write whatever information you want and those of us reading through the thread can at least get your thinking as you make the picks.

[yoshi]

Confucius

He think things.

[ober]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Edison

Thomas Edison... light bulb, among others.

[JaWiB]

Napoleon Bonaparte
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon

My two favorite stories about Napoleon: After being exiled on Corsica, he escapes and rides out alone to face the army which has been sent to intercept him. He simply says, "Here I am. Kill your Emperor, if you wish," and they shout "Vive l'Empereur!" and go with him.

The other story is that on the eve before Waterloo, his physician prescribed him narcotics (opium?), and some people speculate that he was still under the influence the next morning, causing him to be sluggish in ordering his troops during battle. In other words, Napoleon's empire finally came to an end because he was high.

[drakkenkorin]

To provide a counter point to the demented people I've been choosing so far, I'm picking Siddhattha Gotama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddah) this time around.

[Jake]

Aristotle - gotta have a philosopher on my island.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotle

[charlie]

Ok, micah timed out. PJ, you can make your picks now if you'd like.

[PJYelton]

I'm sure this guy needs no introduction, Charles Darwin:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin

[PJYelton]

And with my second pick, Genghis Khan, not only is he just the badass of badasses but he'll also be useful when I decide to take over some of your islands.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genghis_Khan

[micah]

I'm up again for 2 picks? man, I need to pay better attention.  I'll post them when I get to work in a couple hours.

[kermi3]

Stole my next one PJ *fist shaking ensues*

[Jake]

I think it is my turn again. Did he really write all these plays himself? and for entertainment, I present: William Shakespeare

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

[drakkenkorin]

Yeah - thanks a lot PJ and ax - now I have some thinking to do until my turn is up!

::additional fist shaking::

[micah]

a friend of Tesla who wrote some of his best works while living several miles from my own home, my third pick is...

Samuel Clemens, AKA Mark Twain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain

A celebrity in his own day, Twain's writings apparently set new standards for American literature:  "Twain's style – influenced by journalism, wedded to the vernacular, direct and unadorned but also highly evocative and irreverently humorous – changed the way Americans write their language. His characters speak like real people and sound distinctively American, using local dialects, newly invented words, and regional accents."

I think I could have some fun debates with him on my island.

[micah]

Well Jesus was picked in the first round.... so, if Jesus was the Message, then the next best pick would be the messenger:

Paul the Apostle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_of_Tarsus

While the first 4 books of the Bible's New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) speak of the life and times of Jesus,  the bulk of the remaining books were written by Paul.  These books - most actually letters sent to the churches he founded - go on to explain the meaning of Jesus' life and provide an insight into the beliefs and controversies of early Christianity.  They are foundational to Christian theology and ethics.

Granted, Peter, one of the original 12 guys who hung out with Jesus, is often considered the starter of the first "church" of Christianity (Catholics consider him to be the first Pope) -- BUT, I think Paul's works and prolific writings, garner him a top spot in the list of influential historical figures.