Choose Your Mentors
Build your personal board of advisors.
24 mentors found
Winston Churchill
1874-1965
Known for
Prime Minister who led Britain through its darkest hour in World War II, architect of the special relationship with America, Nobel Prize-winning historian and writer, twice Prime Minister
"Never, never, never give up."
From: Historical Figures Collection
156 mentor adoptions
John F. Kennedy
1917-1963
Known for
35th President of the United States, Cold War statesman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and architect of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
We choose to go to the moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard.
From: United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches: From Washington to George W. Bush
153 mentor adoptions
Abraham Lincoln
1809-1865
Known for
16th President, preserved the Union through the Civil War, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, redefined American democracy at Gettysburg
From: The Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln, Complete
149 mentor adoptions
Plato
428-348 BCE
Known for
Philosopher, founder of the Academy, author of The Republic
Seek truth and justice: Ascend from the shadows with the wisdom of Plato.
From: The Wisdom of Plato
145 mentor adoptions
Eleanor Roosevelt
Known for
First Lady of the World who championed human rights, civil rights, and drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
From: This Troubled World
140 mentor adoptions
Queen Elizabeth
1533–1603
Known for
The Virgin Queen — thirty years on the throne, survivor of plots, defeater of the Armada
From: Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth
134 mentor adoptions
Margaret Thatcher
Known for
Britain's first female Prime Minister who transformed the UK through conviction politics and free-market reform
From: Hansard Parliamentary Speeches 1975-1989
120 mentor adoptions
Niccolò Machiavelli
Renaissance Italy (15th-16th century)
Known for
Political philosopher whose name became synonymous with cunning statecraft and ruthless pragmatism
It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both
From: Machiavelli, Volume I
107 mentor adoptions
François Marie Arouet de Voltaire
18th Century France
Known for
Enlightenment philosopher who wielded wit against tyranny and intolerance
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
From: The life of Voltaire
97 mentor adoptions
Cleopatra VII
Ancient Egypt/Rome (1st Century BCE)
Known for
Last Pharaoh of Egypt, diplomat, and political survivor
"I will not be triumphed over."
From: Cleopatra — Complete
94 mentor adoptions
John Stuart Mill
Victorian Britain
Known for
The harm principle, reformed utilitarianism, and the case for women's equality
The only freedom deserving the name is pursuing our own good without harming others.
From: George Washington, Volume I
75 mentor adoptions
Catherine II
Known for
Empress who transformed Russia through Enlightenment reforms while navigating the contradictions of autocratic power
From: Memoirs of the Empress Catherine II.: Written by Herself
70 mentor adoptions
Julius Caesar
100-44 BC
Known for
Roman general and dictator who transformed the Republic into an Empire
Veni, vidi, vici - I came, I saw, I conquered
From: History of Julius Caesar
68 mentor adoptions
George Bernard Shaw
Victorian/Edwardian Era
Known for
Playwright, critic, and socialist wit
Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
From: George Bernard Shaw, his life and works : $b a critical biography (authorized)
51 mentor adoptions
Napoleon Bonaparte
18th-19th Century France
Known for
Military genius, Emperor, and architect of modern Europe
"Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools."
From: Famous leaders among men
46 mentor adoptions
John Locke
1632-1704
Known for
Father of liberalism, philosopher of natural rights and the social contract
Reason and rights guide the path to liberty: Unlock your potential with enlightenment.
From: The Wisdom of John Locke
32 mentor adoptions
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
1712-1778
Known for
Philosopher of the social contract, education, and natural man
Discover your natural self: championing freedom, equality, and the social contract.
From: The Wisdom of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
30 mentor adoptions
Marie Antoinette
18th Century France/Austria
Known for
Queen of France and symbol of aristocratic excess
"Let them eat cake." (Though I never actually said this.)
From: Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Complete: Being the Historic Memoirs of Madam Campan, First Lady in Waiting to the Queen
27 mentor adoptions
Otto von Bismarck
19th century Prussia/Germany
Known for
Iron Chancellor who unified Germany through Realpolitik and strategic brilliance
Politics is the art of the possible
From: The Life of Bismarck, Private and Political: With Descriptive Notices of His Ancestry
19 mentor adoptions
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
1712-1778
Known for
Author of The Social Contract and Emile, champion of natural freedom and critic of civilization
The philosopher who believed man is born free but everywhere in chains
From: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects
2 mentor adoptions
John Locke
1632-1704
Known for
Father of empiricism and liberal political philosophy, author of Two Treatises of Government and Essay Concerning Human Understanding
The philosopher who grounded knowledge in experience and government in consent
From: Leibniz's New Essays Concerning the Human Understanding: A Critical Exposition
2 mentor adoptions
Patrick Henry
1736-1799
Known for
Fiery orator of the American Revolution, champion of individual liberty
Give me liberty, or give me death!
From: Patrick Henry
Alexander Hamilton
Revolutionary America
Known for
The immigrant who built America's financial system, co-authored the Federalist Papers, and could not stop fighting
A nation that cannot fund itself is not a nation — it is a confederation pretending.
From: George Washington, Volume I
Marcus Tullius Cicero
106-43 BCE
Known for
Roman orator, statesman, philosopher, defender of the Roman Republic
The foundation of justice is good faith
From: Cicero's Orations