In celebration of the HistoryExtra podcast’s 15th anniversary this summer, we’ve asked 15 historians to nominate a person from the past who they believe deserves their 15 minutes of fame.
Gain early access to a selection of episodes from the series below, from the inspiring whose stories deserve to be heard, to those whose significance has been overlooked, and some who simply led fascinating lives.
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Membershipaudio15 minutes of fameRediscovering forgotten figures. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioHannah HumphreyEntrepreneurial Georgian printseller. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioKleisthenesFather of Athenian democracy. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioAina Forbes BonettaQueen Victoria’s Yoruba goddaughter. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioMalintzinAztec interpreter. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioSt Hadrian of CanterburyMedieval African theologian. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
VictorianaudioCharley WilsonVictorian transgender working-class man. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioQueen TiyeOvershadowed ancient Egyptian royal. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioMarie TharpGround-breaking cartographer. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioFranz NopcsaHungarian adventurer and palaeontologist. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioSt WilfridQuarrelsome church reformer. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
MembershipaudioAlice KinlochPan-African activist. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
Which figures from history deserve their 15 minutes of fame?
Read more about the little-known or forgotten people from history who have been chosen by historians
MembershipaudioBaburDynasty founder and diarist. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
15 minutes of fameCaroline Dodds Pennock chooses Malintzin
15 minutes of fameTom Holland chooses Franz Nopcsa von Felső-Szilvás. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
15 minutes of fameMichael Wood chooses St Hadrian. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
15 minutes of fameMargaret MacMillan chooses Babur
15 minutes of fameMichael Scott chooses Kleisthenes
15 minutes of fameHannah Greig chooses Hannah Humphrey
15 minutes of fameHannah Cusworth chooses Aina Forbes Bonetta
15 minutes of fameFern Riddell chooses Charley Wilson. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
15 minutes of fameHakim Adi chooses Alice Kinloch. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
15 minutes of fameMarc Morris chooses Saint Wilfrid
