History hero

Celebrities and popular figures choose their heroes from history. Browse these interviews to find out more about the people they chose…

Adam Henson and Robert Bakewell

My history hero Adam Henson chooses Robert Bakewell

Ian Hislop and Alfred the Great

My history hero Ian Hislop chooses Alfred the Great

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert and Edward Jenner

My history hero Dame Sarah Gilbert chooses Edward Jenner

Sarah Smith and Eleanor of Aquitaine

My history hero Sarah Smith chooses Eleanor of Aquitaine

Craig Charles and Muhammad Ali

My history hero Craig Charles chooses Muhammad Ali

Ross Kemp and Jesse Owens

My history hero Ross Kemp chooses Jesse Owens

Rory Stewart chooses Thomas More as a history hero (Photos courtesy of Getty and Bridgeman)

My history hero Rory Stewart chooses Thomas More

Laura Mvulu and Thelonius Monk

My history hero Laura Mvula chooses Thelonious Monk

Jackie Weaver and Elizabeth I

History hero Jackie Weaver chooses Elizabeth I

Nisha Katona and Samuel Pepys

History hero Nisha Katona chooses Samuel Pepys (1633–1703)

A bust of Ashoka the Great

General ancient history

History hero Nihal Arthanayake chooses Ashoka the Great (c304–c232 BC)

Laurence Olivier pictured in New York, 1933. “In my young mind he was theatrical royalty – almost a kind of monarch,” says Steven Berkoff. (Image by Getty Images)

History hero Steven Berkoff chooses Laurence Olivier (1907–89)

A colourised portrait of Anton Chekhov, from 1901

History hero William Boyd chooses Anton Chekhov (1860–1904)

Eric Liddell winning the 400-metre final at the 1924 Olympic Games

History hero Dan Walker chooses Eric Liddell (1902–45)

Welfare campaigner Emily Hobhouse

History hero Anita Anand chooses Emily Hobhouse (1860–1926)