History hero

Singer Paul Robeson rehearses at a piano in 1958. He had a unifying outlook, observing that

My history hero: Paul Robeson (1898–1976)

William Beveridge was determined to fight the five

My history hero: William Beverage (1879–1963)

Jazz trumpeter and composer Miles Davis, shown here in 1969, was central to the story of jazz. (Photo by Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images)

My history hero: Miles Davis (1926–91)

Elizabeth I, shown in a portrait commemorating victory over the Armada

The Library My history hero: Elizabeth I (1533-1603)

Welsh Labour politician Aneurin Bevan making a speech on the freedom of the press at a meeting of the National Council of Civil Liberties at Central Hall, Westminster, London, in 1942. (Photo by Kurt Hutton/Picture Post/Getty Images)

My history hero: Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan (1897–1960)

English philanthropist Angela Burdett-Coutts. (Photo by Hulton-Deutsch/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images)

My history hero: Angela Burdett-Coutts

Freddie Mercury – born Farrokh Bulsara – on stage at Brondby Hallen, Denmark. (Photo by Jorgen Angel/Redferns/Getty Images)

My history hero: Aled Jones chooses Freddie Mercury (1946–91)

Krystyna Skarbeck, also called Christine Granville

Second World War

My history hero: Krystyna Skarbek

Designer duo, husband and wife Robin and Lucienne Day, 1955. The pair “were perhaps the greatest British man and wife design team there has ever been”, says Wayne Hemingway. (Photo by Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy Stock Photo)

My history hero: Robin Day (1915–2010) and Lucienne Day (1917–2010)

Charlie Chaplin, in a still from his 1936 film 'Modern Times’. (Photo by American Stock/Getty Images)

My history hero: Charlie Chaplin

Winston Churchill, 1941. (Photo by War Archive/Alamy Stock Photo)

Second World War

My history hero: Winston Churchill (1874–1965)

American novelist John Updike

My history hero: John Updike (1932-2009)

Field Marshal Bill Slim

My history hero: Field Marshal Bill Slim (1891-1970)

A portrait of Charles Dickens. (Photo by Rischgitz/Getty Images)

My history hero: Charles Dickens

My history hero: Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97)