I say niche, because otherwise we're all going to say Lenin. I'm interested to learn about some new historical figures.
But also...
Sorry to be a ghoul. I've baited you. I'll be honest, I'm applying for an internship scheme at an archive, and they've asked me :
'name a change maker who has inspired you... how you would reach 18-24 year olds on TikTok with their story?'
It's a youth engagement in archive material sort of thing. Their other posts are stuff like Chappell Roan's medieval VMA performance superimposed over a piece of tapestry from their archives.
Another is 'looking for a man in finance? 😀 - here's Eggwald Boggington, the so and so rich eccentric guy from our archives.
I'm thinking of choosing Thomas Sankara. But I'd like to hear your suggestions - whether it's related to my post, or not!
Dr. Clair Patterson, an American chemist. He originally worked on the Manhattan project, did the usual horrified soul-searching that a lot of scientists on that project did, then made two major peaceful accomplishments. First, he discovered the true age of Earth as part of a small research team. And second, his frustration with massive lead contamination in that experiment, and his knowledge of the neurological issues with lead, drove him to devote his life to eliminating lead use with largely successful results.