20 Historical Figures Who Were Hated in Their Time but Are Adored Today

Galileo sparked controversy with the Catholic Church when he declared that the Earth revolved around the Sun. He was eventually placed under house arrest during the final years of his life. Today, he is considered the father of modern science.

In the 15th century, France was not very forgiving toward teenage girls who led armies. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for “madness.” Today, she is considered a national heroine.

Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime. Many considered him crazy and difficult to get along with. Today, his paintings are worth millions, and his emotions are celebrated.

Socrates was sentenced to death by the Athenian government. They felt he asked too many questions and wanted him to stop. Today, he is considered one of the fathers of philosophy.

When Luther nailed his list of concerns to the church door, he was certainly annoyed. He found himself ostracized by his peers and by the Catholic Church. Today, many praise him for his courage in standing up to the Church.

Victorian society found Oscar Wilde’s humor crude and offensive, sentencing him to prison for “offending public decency.” His enemies made sure that no one would hire him upon his release from prison. Today, he is praised for his wit, his daring personality, and his literary masterpieces.

The story of Rosa Parks is often misrepresented. She was seen as a rebel who refused to give up her seat to a white person, when in reality, she had every right to sit on that bus after a long and tiring day at work. Today, she is an icon for the rights of people of all races.

Emily Dickinson spent most of her life at home, away from the public eye. In her day, people who read her poems found them strange. Today, Dickinson is considered one of the greatest American poets of all time.

Every time Tesla had a brilliant idea, people made fun of him. He lived much of his life in poverty while Edison stole his ideas. Today, he is considered one of the visionaries of the modern world.

Runaway slaves were generally brought to justice in the South. Because she helped so many people escape, Harriet Tubman was considered dangerous and rebellious. Today, she is recognized as a heroine who helped free so many people.

Evolution was not readily accepted in Charles Darwin’s time. Many believed he was trying to remove God from the classroom. Many modern schools begin their curriculum with his theory of evolution.

Mexican society was shocked by Frida Kahlo’s unconventional behavior in the early 1900s. Her lifestyle and art were considered outrageously feminist. Today, feminists around the world celebrate her as one of their own.

When Marie Curie was conducting her research on radiation, her fellow scientists did not offer her much support. Many of them believed that women had no place in the scientific field. Today, she is considered one of the greatest scientists of all time.

Lincoln wasn’t always popular, especially during his lifetime. Many considered him a Northern hooligan who wanted to abolish slavery. Today, he is regarded as one of America’s greatest leaders.

When Walt Whitman began writing about intimacy, it caused quite a stir. No one had ever openly addressed topics such as the human body. Today, he is praised for his unreserved acceptance of human desires.

Anthony was considered a rebel when she began campaigning for women’s suffrage. Women’s suffrage was seen as unnatural, even by Anthony herself. Today, many hail her as one of the pioneers of the women’s rights movement.

Music lovers in Beethoven’s day liked music that followed the rules. Beethoven was criticized for breaking with convention and for his hot temper. Today, many consider him one of the greatest musicians of all time.

Many African Americans were unhappy with Malcolm X’s inflammatory speeches. White America viewed his vision of Black emancipation as a threat. Today, he is hailed as one of the great champions of equal rights.

When Impressionist art first emerged, critics ridiculed Monet. They considered Impressionist painting to be sloppy and unfinished. Today, his paintings are appreciated around the world and have revolutionized art.

Anne Frank didn’t really change the world while she was hiding from the Nazis. That’s because she was silenced by the tragedy unfolding around her. It took years after her death for people to realize the importance of her diary.