People
Historical Figures and Influential People in History
Explore rulers, generals, thinkers, scientists and reformers who shaped world history. Search for a specific person, or browse by era, region, country and A–Z.
Historical Figures Beginning with N
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8 results
Napoleon Bonaparte
1769–1821Industrial AgeEuropeFrance
He rose from obscure Corsican origins to master of Europe, then invaded Russia — a decision that set the clock ticking on everything he had built.
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Narmer
-3150–-3100Ancient CivilisationsMiddle EastEgypt
He may have unified Egypt at the dawn of recorded history — or the famous palette that shows him doing so may be ceremonial art — and we still can't quite be sure which.
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Nero
37–68Classical WorldEuropeItaly
He was blamed for burning Rome, killing his own mother, and destroying the Julio-Claudian dynasty — and historians have spent two thousand years arguing about how much of it is actually true.
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Neville Chamberlain
1869–1940Industrial AgeEuropeUnited Kingdom
He staked his reputation on avoiding war through negotiation with Adolf Hitler, only to see his promise of peace collapse within a year.
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Ngo Dinh Diem
1901–1963Modern HistoryOtherVietnam
He was America's chosen leader in South Vietnam — installed with CIA support, protected for years, and then removed in a coup the CIA also helped organise.
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Nicholas II
1868–1918Industrial AgeEuropeRussia
He inherited the largest country on earth, believed in autocracy deeply and sincerely, and watched it all collapse because he couldn't imagine any other way to rule.
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Nicolaus Copernicus
1473–1543Medieval PeriodOtherPoland
He spent decades developing a model of the solar system with the Earth moving round the Sun, delayed publishing it for years out of fear, and died days after the first copies arrived.
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Nikita Khrushchev
1894–1971Industrial AgeEuropeRussia
He denounced Stalin, launched Sputnik, and brought the world to the edge of nuclear war over Cuba — then was removed from power while on holiday by colleagues who'd had enough.
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