Choose Your Mentors
Browse 23 mentors from history and literature. Build your personal board of advisors.
23 mentors found
Marcus Aurelius
Ancient Rome
Known for
Stoic philosophy, self-discipline, and ruling with wisdom
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
From: Meditations
53 mentor adoptions
Marie Curie
Known for
Scientific discovery and persistence against all odds
From: Pierre Curie
33 mentor adoptions
Charles Dickens
Victorian Era
Known for
Novelist who championed the poor and transformed English literature
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
From: The Life of Charles Dickens, Vol. I-III, Complete
65 mentor adoptions
Winston Churchill
20th Century Britain
Known for
Wartime leadership, oratory, and indomitable spirit
"Never, never, never give up."
From: Historical Figures Collection
64 mentor adoptions
Carl Gustav Jung
20th Century Switzerland
Known for
Psychiatrist who developed analytical psychology, explored archetypes, the collective unconscious, and individuation
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes
From: Psychology of the Unconscious: A Study of the Transformations and Symbolisms of the Libido. A Contribution to the History of the Evolution of Thought
60 mentor adoptions
Alexander Graham Bell
19th century America/Canada
Known for
Inventor of the telephone and tireless advocate for deaf education
When one door closes, another opens—but we often look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened
From: The Story of My Life: With her letters (1887-1901) and a supplementary account of her education, including passages from the reports and letters of her teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, by John Albert Macy
56 mentor adoptions
Frederick Douglass
19th Century America
Known for
Escaping slavery to become the most influential voice for abolition and human dignity
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
From: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave
56 mentor adoptions
Sigmund Freud
19th-20th Century Vienna
Known for
Founder of psychoanalysis who explored the unconscious mind, dreams, and human motivation
The mind is like an iceberg; it floats with one-seventh of its bulk above water
From: The Interpretation of Dreams
55 mentor adoptions
Michael Faraday
19th century England
Known for
Self-taught scientist who discovered electromagnetic induction and founded the field of electrochemistry
Nothing is too wonderful to be true, if it be consistent with the laws of nature
From: Lord Kelvin: An account of his scientific life and work
54 mentor adoptions
Susan B. Anthony
Known for
Main character, a tireless advocate for women's rights, temperance, and abolition.
From: Susan B. Anthony: Rebel, Crusader, Humanitarian
49 mentor adoptions
Sir Ernest Shackleton
20th Century Ireland/England
Known for
Antarctic survival and bringing every man home alive
"Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all."
From: Shackleton's Last Voyage: The Story of the Quest
49 mentor adoptions
Martin Luther
16th Century Germany
Known for
Theologian and reformer who challenged the Catholic Church and sparked the Protestant Reformation
Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me.
From: Selections from the Table Talk of Martin Luther
48 mentor adoptions
David Livingstone
19th Century Scotland/Africa
Known for
Exploring Africa and fighting the slave trade
"I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward."
From: How I found Livingstone : $b Travels, adventures, and discoveres in Central Africa, including an account of four months' residence with Dr. Livingstone
43 mentor adoptions
Jesse Livermore
Early 20th Century America
Known for
Legendary stock trader known for making and losing multiple fortunes and his insights on market psychology
There is nothing new in Wall Street. There cannot be because speculation is as old as the hills
From: Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
40 mentor adoptions
Mozart
18th century Austria
Known for
Musical prodigy and composer of transcendent works including operas, symphonies, and concertos
Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination—the capacity to feel and create beauty is the mark of genius
From: Life of Mozart, Vol. 1 (of 3)
33 mentor adoptions
Sojourner Truth
19th Century America
Known for
Finding her voice to speak truth to power as an abolitionist and women`s rights activist
Truth is powerful and it prevails.
From: The Narrative of Sojourner Truth
32 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
26 mentor adoptions
Henry M. Stanley
19th Century Wales/America/Africa
Known for
Finding Dr. Livingstone and exploring Central Africa
"Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"
From: How I found Livingstone : $b Travels, adventures, and discoveres in Central Africa, including an account of four months' residence with Dr. Livingstone
25 mentor adoptions
Richard Wagner
19th century Germany
Known for
Revolutionary opera composer who transformed music into total art
The artwork of the future must unite all the arts
From: My Life — Volume 1
25 mentor adoptions
Helen Keller
Known for
The main character, a deaf and blind girl who overcomes her disabilities through education.
From: The Story of My Life: With her letters (1887-1901) and a supplementary account of her education, including passages from the reports and letters of her teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan, by John Albert Macy
24 mentor adoptions
Ferdinand Magellan
16th Century Portugal/Spain
Known for
First circumnavigation of the Earth and proving the world's true size
"The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore."
From: The Story of Magellan and The Discovery of the Philippines
18 mentor adoptions
E.H. Harriman
Late 19th-Early 20th Century America
Known for
Railroad magnate who rebuilt the Union Pacific into one of the most efficient transportation systems in the world
The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets
From: High Finance
17 mentor adoptions
Jean Valjean
Known for
Redemption and transformation through mercy
From: Les Misérables
17 mentor adoptions