The 20 Most Influential People in World History: Ranked by Global Impact

Recently, I had a discussion about the impact of Elon Musk today and how it compares to other influential figures throughout world history. This inspired me to conduct an audit of the most influential people in history. Notably, Elon Musk has made groundbreaking contributions not only through his companies but also by open-sourcing patents on pivotal technologies like AI, much like other historical figures whose innovations sparked world-changing influence. I utilized ChatGPT for much of the background research, integrating its capabilities to not only explore the topic but also expand my own knowledge and, hopefully, that of others.

Throughout history, individuals have shaped humanity’s trajectory through religion, science, politics, innovation, and cultural transformation. While ranking these figures is subjective, this list evaluates their contributions based on global influence, lasting impact, and the scale of change they brought to the world.

Here’s a ranking of the Top 20 Most Influential People in World History, along with the reasons they’ve left an indelible mark on humanity.

I hope this sparks curiosity and wonderful mind expanding conversions. Please join in and share if you wish.

1. Jesus of Nazareth

Domain: Religion, Ethics
Impact: The spiritual teachings of Jesus laid the foundation for Christianity, influencing billions over two millennia. His principles of love, forgiveness, and service have shaped moral frameworks and cultures across the globe.

2. Muhammad (570–632)

Domain: Religion, Politics
Impact: The founder of Islam profoundly impacted religion, governance, and law. His teachings guide over a billion people, shaping societies across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

3. Isaac Newton (1643–1727)

Domain: Science
Impact: Newton revolutionized science with discoveries in physics and mathematics, laying the groundwork for modern engineering and technology. His laws of motion and gravity transformed humanity’s understanding of the natural world.

4. Gautama Buddha (563–483 BCE)

Domain: Religion, Philosophy
Impact: Buddha’s teachings on enlightenment, suffering, and compassion influenced the spiritual and cultural evolution of Asia, resonating with millions to this day.

5. Confucius (551–479 BCE)

Domain: Philosophy, Ethics
Impact: Confucius shaped Chinese governance and culture with his philosophy of morality, family loyalty, and social harmony, influencing one of the world’s largest civilizations for millennia.

6. Albert Einstein (1879–1955)

Domain: Science
Impact: Einstein transformed physics with his theory of relativity, fundamentally altering how we understand time, space, and energy. His work laid the foundation for modern technologies like GPS and nuclear energy.

7. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

Domain: Multidisciplinary Innovation
Impact: As a polymath, da Vinci advanced art, science, and engineering. His visionary ideas inspired centuries of innovation, from flight to anatomical research.

8. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)

Domain: Politics, Social Justice
Impact: Gandhi pioneered nonviolent resistance, inspiring civil rights movements worldwide and leading India’s fight for independence.

9. Norman Borlaug (1914–2009)

Domain: Science, Agriculture
Impact: Known as the “Father of the Green Revolution,” Borlaug’s innovations in agriculture are credited with saving over a billion lives by preventing famine.

10. Thomas Edison (1847–1931)

Domain: Technology, Invention
Impact: Edison revolutionized daily life with inventions like the electric light bulb, phonograph, and practical electricity, enabling the modern era.

11. Elon Musk (1971–Present)

Domain: Technology, Innovation
Impact: Musk is reshaping humanity’s future through electric vehicles (Tesla), space exploration (SpaceX), clean energy, and AI. His focus on interplanetary survival and renewable energy could define the next century.

Notably, Musk is the only living person on this list, which highlights both his extraordinary accomplishments and the potential for his ranking to evolve. There is room for him to climb higher based on the success of his ongoing projects—or to decline if his vision falters or fails to materialize.

12. Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE)

Domain: Politics, Empire-Building
Impact: Alexander expanded Greek culture across three continents, shaping Western and Middle Eastern civilizations for centuries.

13. Johannes Gutenberg (1400–1468)

Domain: Communication, Knowledge
Impact: Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press democratized knowledge and sparked revolutions in education, science, and religion.

14. George Washington (1732–1799)

Domain: Politics, Leadership
Impact: Washington’s leadership established the United States, laying the foundation for modern democracy and governance.

15. Marie Curie (1867–1934)

Domain: Science, Medicine
Impact: Curie pioneered research in radioactivity, revolutionizing cancer treatment and nuclear science. She remains a trailblazer for women in science.

16. Martin Luther (1483–1546)

Domain: Religion, Reform
Impact: Luther’s challenge to the Catholic Church sparked the Protestant Reformation, reshaping Christianity and Western society.

17. Nikola Tesla (1856–1943)

Domain: Technology, Energy
Impact: Tesla revolutionized electricity and communication, laying the groundwork for the modern power grid and wireless communication.

18. Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919)

Domain: Industry, Philanthropy
Impact: Carnegie revolutionized steel production and gave away nearly 90% of his wealth, funding libraries, education, and scientific research globally.

19. Charles Darwin (1809–1882)

Domain: Science, Philosophy
Impact: Darwin’s theory of evolution transformed humanity’s understanding of biology and our place in the natural world.

20. Steve Jobs (1955–2011)

Domain: Technology, Innovation
Impact: Jobs revolutionized personal computing, communication, and media, transforming how billions interact with technology.

Will Elon Musk Move Higher?

Elon Musk’s placement at #11 reflects his profound contributions to humanity. His ventures—Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, and more—tackle some of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change, energy independence, and interplanetary survival.

If Musk successfully establishes sustainable interplanetary colonies or solves other existential crises (e.g., AI alignment, renewable energy scalability), his ranking could surpass even the great scientific and technological pioneers. Conversely, if his projects stumble or fail to meet their ambitious goals, his legacy may diminish.

As the only living individual on this list, Musk’s story is still being written—and the world is watching.

Final Thoughts

This list celebrates individuals who shaped humanity’s trajectory—some through spiritual leadership, others through groundbreaking science or world-changing innovation. While each ranking is debatable, it highlights the profound ways in which individuals can transform the world.

Who would you add or rank differently? Let’s continue the conversation about humanity’s greatest contributors! Please share what you think!

Explore Our Digital Marketing Insights

Discover expert insights on digital marketing! Click below to explore our blog for valuable strategies, trends, and perspectives to grow your business

DODSON MC