10 Most DANGEROUS People To Have Ever Lived

10-Most-Dangerous-People-in-History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at dangerous individuals with high body counts or unusually lethal skills - not murderous dictators with armies at their disposal.

Goyahkla [aka Geronimo] (1829-1909)

Geronimo, a fearsome Apache leader, went down in history as one of the world's most relentless warriors. The death of his family at the hands of Mexican troops fueled a lifelong quest for revenge. For decades, he waged a brutal, quixotic guerilla campaign against the Mexican and American militaries. He represented the last scream of defiance against colonialism of native lands. Geronimo was known for his unyielding courage and brilliant, albeit brutal, tactics. He and his band of fighters evaded capture time and again, striking out with lethal precision. His raids devastated enemy settlements, leaving a legacy of terror across the Southwest. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, he fought until 1886, when he was finally forced to surrender for the last time.

Donald McBane (1664-1732)

When it comes to swordplay, Donald McBane literally wrote the book on it. A Scottish soldier, McBane was one of Scotland's most prolific duelists. He was a career soldier and fought in wars all over Europe. Outside the battlefield, he became a legendary duelist, engaging in nearly 100 sword fights, often to the death. He fought his final duel at the tender age of 63, absolutely devastating his opponent with skilled ease. His defeat of other fencing masters motivated McBane to open his own schools, teaching fencing to pupils from around the continent. In 1728 - four years before his death - McBane wrote one of the seminal treatises on fighting with a sword.

Tsukahara Bokuden - The Wandering Swordsman (1489-1571)

Born in 1489, the samurai known as Tsukahara Bokuden lived a life of solitude. Called the wandering swordsman, he was renowned across Japan for his unmatched skill in combat and profound mastery of strategy. Trained from a young age, Tsukahara Bokuden won his very first duel to the death at the age of 17. He fought in 20 duels and in 37 battles over the course of his life. Wounded six times by arrows, Tsukahara died having never been wounded by another blade. He is thought to have killed over two hundred men over the course of his life. He spent his career traveling the countryside learning from masters. Ultimately, he developed his own school of combat: Mutekatsu-ryū, the school of "winning without hands.”

Herman Webster Mudgett [aka H.H. Holmes] (1861-96)

Often considered America’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, was a cold-blooded mastermind. He used his vast intellect and charm to hide his true nature, but deep down he was a dangerous predator. Living in Chicago, Mudgett constructed a labyrinthine hotel designed to disorient and trap his victims. With hidden rooms, soundproofing, and deadly gas chambers, his lair was something out of a cheesy horror film. Holmes preyed on guests, business associates, and even lovers. Estimates of his victims range widely as many of his murders were never fully uncovered. Some experts think he may have murdered over 200 Chicagoans. Like a spider in a web, Mudgett was a ruthless and patient killer, and one of the most terrifying humans to ever live.

Vasily Zaitsev (1915-91)

Before the release of 2001's "Enemy at the Gates," most of the western world was unfamiliar with the exploits of Vasily Zaitsev. After growing up in the Ural mountains, Zaitsev eventually joined the Red Army. During the Second World War, he quickly earned the reputation as one of Earth's best snipers. His marksmanship during the Battle of Stalingrad turned him into a legend that the Politburo spread far and wide. Known for his patience, precision, and ability to outthink his enemies, Zaitsev was the bane of enemy snipers, officers, and soldiers. He had an astonishing tally of 225 confirmed kills. The Nazis were so terrified of him, they allegedly sent their own hero, Major Erwin König, to face him in Stalingrad. Zaitsev won that duel.

Lyudmila Pavlichenko - Lady Death (1916-74)

Would you be surprised to learn that one of history's most lethal snipers was a woman? By age 25, Lyudmila Pavlichenko was already divorced, a mother, an athlete, and college student. When war broke out, she joined the Red Army as a sniper. She became the terror of the Eastern Front, called "Lady Death" by the Germans. During the sieges of Odessa and Sevastopol, her nerves of steel made her a nightmare for Nazi forces. She thrived in the harsh conditions of the battlefield, hiding for days to take out high-value targets. She took out 36 enemy snipers, and ultimately ended the war with a confirmed kill count of 309. Her skills earned her worldwide fame, even befriending First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Elizabeth Báthory - The Blood Countess (1560-1614)

For thousands of years, history has been a tale of the elite and wealthy exploiting and killing lower classes. Few examples, though, are as egregious as the Hungarian noble Elizabeth Báthory. Ultimately known as "The Blood Countess," Báthory was - allegedly - one of the most prolific serial killers ever. Born into Hungarian nobility in the late 16th century, she used her wealth and status to conceal her gruesome crimes. Legends say she tortured and killed hundreds of young girls in her castle, with some claiming she had over 600 victims. She mutilated, beat, and starved young women and girls. She allegedly believed that bathing in their blood would preserve her youth, like a caricature of an Eastern European vampire.

Simo Häyhä - The White Death (1905-2002)

The Soviet Union launched "The Winter War" in 1939 when they invaded their neighbor Finland. While it lasted a year, it didn't take that long for the Russians to realize their terrible mistake. The combination of the frozen weather and Finland's hit and run tactics caused massive casualties. The poster boy for Finnish resistance was Simo Häyhä, perhaps the greatest sniper of all time. His exploits against the Soviets are the stuff of Legend. Known as the “White Death,” it took Häyhä only three weeks to single-handedly kill over 120 men. One Hundred days into the war, his kill count had reached more than 500. Multiple Soviet attempts to take him out resulted in significant casualties.

Spartacus (c. 103–71 BCE)

In ancient Rome, Thracians were regarded for their incredible music and poetry as well as their savage warriors. Little is known about the origins of their most famous warrior, Spartacus. What we do know is that, after life as a soldier, he was enslaved and made into a gladiator. He and 70 other gladiators escaped their school near Capua. What began as a minor revolt snowballed into a full-fledged slave rebellion. Slaves flocked to his banner until he built an army of 70,000 out of pure will. He and his men waged a bloody war against their Roman captors. With cunning, savagery, and military brilliance, he defeated Rome's legions time and again. His army would wreak havoc across Italy until he died in battle.

Before we continue, here are a few dishonorable mentions.

“Mad” Jack Churchill (1906-96)
He Fought WWII with a Sword & Bagpipes, & a Bow & Arrow

Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-99)
A Famed Violinist, Conductor, & Soldier, He Was Also One of the Best Duelists in France

Julie d’Aubigny (1673-1707)
This Beloved Opera Diva Was Also a Blademaster & Defeated Three Men in a Single Day

Zheng Yi Sao (1775-1844)
A Deadly Pirate Queen, She Commanded Thousands & Was the Scourge of the South China Sea

Chris Kyle (1974-2013)
Known as “The Devil of Ramadi,” This SEAL Sniper Had over 150 Confirmed Kills

Miyamoto Musashi - The Sword Saint (1584-1645)

In an Empire famous for its legendary swordsmen, no others can compare to the great Miyamoto Musashi. Born in 1584, Musashi became a master of the sword as a child. He won his first duel - against a wandering samurai - when he was only thirteen years old. Over the course of his life, he would fight in more than 60 other duels. Thanks to Musashi’s unorthodox tactics and unparalleled skill, he never once tasted defeat. He fought his most famous duel against master swordsman Sasaki Kojiro, whom he slew with a wooden practice blade. After fighting in the Shogun's army, Musashi retired to a cave where he wrote one of Japan's most well-regarded texts on kenjutsu. He died soon after.

History is replete with tales of lethal assassins, sadistic killers, and deadly soldiers. Who do you think was the most dangerous individual in history? Let us know in the comments below!