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1543
Nicolaus Copernicus
Copernicus turned the world inside out, putting the Sun at the centre and setting Earth into motion around it. Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer who put forth the theory that the Sun is at rest near the center of the Universe, and that the Earth, spinning on its axis once daily, revolves annually around the Sun. He was the first European scientist to propose the heliocentric theory of the solar system. -
Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon is most notable for his philosophy surrounding the nature of science. Bacon contributed greatly to helping define the nature of science and the scientific method. He was a fan of Aristotle but also rejected much of Aristotle's ancient Greek philosophy. He is largely credited with ushering in the new early modern era of human understanding. -
Galileo Galilei
Galileo was a natural philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician who created the scientific method. He also made revolutionary telescopic discoveries, including the four largest moons of Jupiter. He is often referred to as the “father of modern astronomy” and the “father of modern physics”. -
Rene Descartes
Rene Descartes made a lot of contributions through his specialty in mathematics, he was able to transform geometrical problems into algebra. Further, he established the x and y-axis in his algebraic drawings. The modern notation for exponents was also a Rene Descartes innovation. -
Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton is important for his contributions to the Scientific Revolution specifically, his Law of Universal Gravitation, Three Laws of Motion, and invention of the reflecting telescope. Isaac Newton is also responsible for the Inquiry into the nature of light and the development of calculus. -
John Locke
His political theory of government by the consent of the governed as a means to protect the three natural rights of “life, liberty and estate” deeply influenced the United States' founding documents. Often credited as a founder of modern “liberal” thought, Locke pioneered the ideas of natural law, social contract, religious toleration, and the right to revolution. -
Montesquieu
Montesquieu's discussion of separation of powers and checks and balances profoundly influenced the American Founders and the design of the U.S. Constitution. Montesquieu's writings helped to create a desire for freedom and helped to spark the French Revolution. -
Denis Diderot
Diderot's largest contribution to the Enlightenment era was by far his publication of "Encyclopedia or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts." Denis Diderot served as chief editor of the Encyclopedia, and in that role he was one of the originators and interpreters of the Enlightenment. -
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau's philosophies are believed to have influenced the American Revolution as well, as some of his ideas were drawn upon for the Declaration of Independence.
Rousseau's theories of sovereignty and law had a direct influence on French revolutionaries such as Robespierre, and were blamed for some of the worst excesses of the Terror in France. -
James Watt
James Watt is chiefly known for inventing different types of steam engine that helped start the Industrial Revolution. To describe the efficiency of his engines, he coined the term 'horsepower'. -
Voltaire
His writings gave the American Revolution and the Founding Fathers critical concepts to build a new form of government. Voltaire criticized the ties secular politics had to religion, and introduced the idea of their separation into revolutionary ideals. -
Adam Smith
Smith published An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Smith attacked government intervention in the economy and provided a blueprint for free markets and free trade. Some of his most influential contributions include division of labor, gross domestic product, and the theory of the invisible hand. -
George Washington
Despite having little experience in commanding large, conventional military forces, his leadership presence and fortitude held the American military together long enough to secure victory at Yorktown and independence for his new nation in 1781. Washington influenced the path for the presidency moving forward, creating standards in all political, military, and economic areas. -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, at 33, drafted the Declaration of Independence. In years following he labored to make its words a reality in Virginia. Most notably, he wrote a bill establishing religious freedom. He founded the University of Virginia, and created the 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedoms, -
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
He composed over 600 works, including some of the most famous and loved pieces of symphonic, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Mozart was an anglophile. He was so impressed with Great Britain's heroic near-epic defense of GIbraltar against a land-sea siege from 1778 to 1782 by the combined forces of France & Spain that he wrote a musical composition in tribute. -
Maximillien Robespierre
Maximilian Robespierre was a French lawyer who became one of the primary leaders of the French Revolution. He successfully argued in favor of Louis XVI's execution, then he encouraged the people to rise up in insurrection over military defeats and a food shortage. -
Miguel Hidalgo
Hidalgo uttered the cry of Dolores, which put the independence movement in motion. Hidalgo concluded that a revolt was needed because of injustices against the poor of Mexico. By this time, Hidalgo was known for his achievements at the prestigious San Nicolas Obispo school in Morelia, and later served there as rector. -
Simon Bolivar
Highly influenced by the examples of the United States, the French Revolution and Napoleon, he led a massive revolt against Spanish colonial rule in South America. Bolivar himself led multiple expeditionary forces against the Spaniards, he successfully liberated three territories.