Leaders in History Articles

Every so often, a leader emerges whose legacy seems larger-than-life. Some of them inspire us and invite us to envision a better future, like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Others had tumultuous lives and careers that read like a cautionary tale, such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Henry VIII. Still others were tyrants, politicians on the wrong side of history, and various other leaders whose examples we’d do well not to follow, like Russia’s Ivan the Terrible and Andrew Johnson, the first US president to be impeached.

If you want to know more about the people who stood out from their contemporaries, for better or worse, you’ve come to the right place. Our research on historical leaders examines not just who they were and what they did, but the lasting impact they’ve had on the world.

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Catherine Parr Was King Henry VIII's Last Wife

She's the subject of a new historical film, Firebrand.

How FDR Became the Only President Elected To Serve Four Terms

Why was Roosevelt allowed to remain in office for 12 years? 

20 Books About Influential Americans

From First Ladies to baseball players.

The "Madness" of King George III

Britain's longest-reigning male monarch suffered from recurrent bouts of a mysterious illness.

15 Little-Known Women's History Month Facts

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating those who made great strides in the name of equality.

17 Books That Offer Perspectives on the Presidents

Get a fresh take on the men who led—and currently lead—our country.

25 Books to Read for Black History Month

From great triumphs to continuing struggles, learn more about African American history with these books.

Sir Walter Raleigh and the Search for El Dorado 

His fascinating life included two stints in the Tower of London.

20 Fascinating Books About the Founding Fathers of America

They were more than a stuffy group of old men—in fact, many of them were young and rowdy.

Explore the Tumult of Russia Through This Putin Biography

It sheds light on Russian history, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and more.

The FBI Surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr. 

The civil rights leader was the target of a covert FBI project to discredit him.

5 Historical Mystics Who Embraced Occultism

These leaders looked outside science and established religion for answers.

The Mysterious Execution of Mussolini

As his dictatorship came crumbling down, he was captured while trying to flee the country.

10 Enlightening Books About Little-Known and Hidden History

From an odd use of mummies to the man who survived two atomic bombings.