20 Greatest Speakers Who Shaped History

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the public speakers that, for better or worse, captured the rapturous attention of their respective audiences.

#20: Barack Obama

The comparative youth and vitality of Barack Obama was definitely a talking point around the time of his U.S. presidential inauguration in 2009. His election to that country’s highest public office didn’t come about in a vacuum, however, and his powers of oration helped him connect with audiences. President Obama spoke directly to a generation that was looking for the “hope” promised within his campaign. As a result, his public speeches were often electrifying affairs. Meanwhile, his tenure as an American president was marked by Obama’s ability to speak across party lines, while also successfully navigating international waters as an ambassador.

#19: Leon Trotsky

The turbulent history of Russia during the early 20th century was marked by revolution and civil war. This chaotic and often violent political era resulted in the establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922. Leon Trotsky was at the epicenter of Russian political life during this era, a hugely important figure from the world of communism. His writings and speeches were so influential to this end that an entirely new intellectual offshoot of political Marxism was attributed to him, called Trotskyism. Leon Trotsky lived in constant fear of assassination, with good reason. In August of 1940, Trotsky was murdered by a Spanish communist named Jaime Ramón Mercader del Río[a]. Today, the man’s legacy is complicated, but his speaking power is unquestioned.

#18: Demosthenes[b]

There was perhaps no era in history more suited or welcoming to public oration than ancient Greece. Demosthenes was just one of the famous Greek writers and philosophers whose works we study today. This statesman’s delivery was said to be passionate and allegedly full of physical gesticulations and mannerisms that endeared Demosthenes to his audience. He even taught others his techniques of public speaking, from breath control and stamina to retaining focus over stuttering. Meanwhile, the subjects of Demosthenes’ orations often also dealt with Athenian politics and how the Greek city could remain both independent and democratic.

#17: Charles de Gaulle

It isn’t necessarily a foregone conclusion that every popular or successful political leader is also going to be a great public speaker. The life of Charles de Gaulle was one peppered with numerous accolades during a tumultuous time that included two world wars. That said, his prowess as a military leader, president and prime minister was also balanced with an inspiring oratory style. De Gaulle would know in advance specific points he’d want to make and achieved his goals by repeating key words or phrases for emphasis during his speeches. This almost percussive speaking style became something of a calling card for de Gaulle, in addition to his legacy as one of France’s most important prime ministers.

#16: Susan B. Anthony

There’s a lot more to the life and legacy of Susan B. Anthony than simply her presence upon the coin that bears her name. This revolutionary figure for women’s liberation and feminism worked tirelessly from a very young age and as a result worked up a powerful speaking style. She was a fact checker and a note-taker, an orator that knew in advance how to back up any and all of her claims. Susan B. Anthony’s persuasive speaking style would serve as the bedrock for women’s suffrage, paving the way for important feminist causes such as the right of women to vote in political elections.

#15: Chief Joseph

The American Frontier Wars is another period of world history with a laundry list of important figures whose deeds have gone down into legend. Chief Joseph was a passionate defender of his Nez Perce[c] tribe, and fought against their forced removal from native land by the United States government. The legacy of Joseph as an orator is most closely associated with his speech to the U.S. General Oliver O. Howard during his eventual surrender. The quote, “I will fight no more forever” is attributed to him and serves as a powerful, yet melancholic statement regarding the unjust treatment of Native American peoples by their foreign invaders.

#14: Harvey Milk

Just as Susan B. Anthony remains an icon for the women’s rights movement, so too does Harvey Milk exist as an inspiration for those that continue to fight for gay rights. Milk blazed a political trail as the first openly gay man to hold California office, working with San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors. His “Hope Speech” at the 1978 Gay Freedom Day rally was just one famous example of Milk’s skills as an orator. This politician also backed up his words with actions, sponsoring a local bill to ban housing and employment based upon sexual orientation. Speaking out does little good to those who won’t listen, however, and Harvey Milk was assassinated by a fellow board member, Dan White.

#13: Maya Angelou [d]

Here’s a question: Is imitation truly the sincerest form of flattery? We think that it can be, at least if we’re discussing the famed poet laureate, activist and poet, Maya Angelou. It’s Angelou’s very distinct-sounding voice and easily-replicated cadence that’s allowed many comedians and performers to do impressions of her work. These imitations are often done with love, however, since Angelou’s work is largely regarded today as formative when it comes to describing our emotional human experience. Angelou’s encyclopedic knowledge of language is matched only by her ability to choose just the right words to convey just the right feelings. It’s a power that’s honestly rare, and very, very special.

#12: Abraham Lincoln

There’s a good reason why Abraham Lincoln lives on forever, carved into the United States’ Mount Rushmore. His legacy as an American president looms large over the office as a whole, thanks in good part to the tumultuous era of the Civil War. His speaking style focused upon eye contact, while his voice was actually rather high-pitched. This may stand in stereotypical contrast to what many might view as a “strong” manner of speech, but he clearly had an impact on his listeners. One need only look to any of Abraham Lincoln’s famous addresses and speeches to understand the scope and magnitude of his presence.

#11: Mahatma Gandhi

It isn’t always wild gesticulations and booming voices that grab a crowd’s attention. Case in point? Mahatma Gandhi, a leader for Indian independence, who was known for his soft-spoken demeanor and policies of non-confrontational civil disobedience, or ahimsa. One of Gandhi’s most famous speeches, “Quit India,” saw the leader call upon Indians to utilize passive resistance against British occupation of the country and decline to participate in WWII. This practice involved boycotts of British products, including government schooling, while Gandhi himself went on fasts and hunger strikes, which often left him severely weakened. Nevertheless, Gandhi caused significant social change by backing up his compelling speeches with actions, making him an enduring figure in historical public speaking.

#10: Marcus Tullius Cicero[e]

Ancient Rome, a legendary empire, hailed itself as the pinnacle of government and culture, and in turn influenced Western civilization. The texts from this era that survive give an idea of the compelling arguments used by preeminent figures of the day; one of these was orator Marcus Tullius Cicero. He was taught in both Latin and Greek, meaning he learned from yet another important culture, which had great speakers like the “First Citizen of Athens,” himself, Pericles. It was that grasp on language allowed Cicero to translate much of Greece’s rhetoric into Latin. Cicero was also involved in government and law, where he utilized rhetoric to convince all who listened of his arguments – including the generations of politicians, lawyers and public figures who study his work today.

#9: Margaret Thatcher

Early in her career, Thatcher was quoted as saying, “I don’t think there will be a woman prime minister in my lifetime,” but she was obviously proven wrong. Taking office in May of 1979, Thatcher was quickly nicknamed “The Iron Lady.” Thatcher was the first woman to be British Prime Minister, and also held the position the longest out of anyone in the 20th century. Thatcher’s longevity as PM is in part thanks to her controversial and unyielding style of speech and leadership. Indeed, public opinion of Thatcher’s policies on deregulation, labor and privatization of businesses was so strong that her influence continues to be felt today, both in Britain and around the world.

#8: Ronald Reagan

The 40th President of the United States may’ve first found fame as an actor, but his legacy as America’s Commander in Chief earned him the nickname “The Great Communicator.” This moniker was merited, in part, thanks to Reagan’s ability to connect with an audience during his speeches. This was largely due to the perception that the former President came across as sincere, simple and honest, using terms people could understand, but also being succinct and quotable. The country may not have always agreed with Reagan’s policies, but they almost always paid attention whenever he took the podium for a speech.

#7: Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela gave a speech in 1964 while on trial in Apartheid South Africa that remains one of the most important and iconic addresses of the 20th century. Speaking for three hours, this activist used the power of the spoken word to resonate with his supporters and to challenge those who had put him on trial. Mandela stressed that he was willing to die for his ideals of a democratic South Africa, and it was this passionate belief behind his words that made Mandela a hero to many around the world. Though some have criticized Mandela’s switch to armed protest with the Spear of the Nation after first espousing peaceful, non-violent solutions, the leader’s legacy remains firmly entrenched within the culture of South Africa.

#6: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt’s public speaking style is perfectly encapsulated by the Fireside Chats, a series of radio broadcasts that he used to discuss such issues as unemployment, finance and the costs of fighting a war overseas directly with the American people. These chats led the United States through both the Great Depression and World War II during his tenure as President. It was the perceived intimacy of these chats that likely led to Roosevelt’s popularity among his supporters, as they served as a comforting presence during times of troubling uncertainty and danger. His presence and assurance were especially needed following the attack at Pearl Harbor in 1941; in under eight minutes, he gave what is known as the Infamy Speech, convincing almost everyone that it was time to proclaim war.

#5: Socrates

The story of Socrates didn’t begin and end with his escapades in “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” In fact, the legacy of this famous Greek teacher and orator survives thanks to his famous students, like Plato. It’s their recollections of studying under Socrates that eventually led to what’s known today as the Socratic Method. This is the foundation of modern debate, of understanding the viewpoints of others and debating ideas without resorting to violence. And it’s this dedication to honest, open dialogues that’s allowed the teachings of Socrates to influence contemporary society just as strongly as ancient Greece.

#4: Adolf Hitler

The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi movement continues to be a chilling reminder of how powerful a zealous oratory presence can be in persuading a population. Indeed, Hitler made over five thousand speeches in his lifetime, and was instrumental in one of the most deplorable periods in history through an almost supernatural ability to tap into the fears and prejudices of an entire nation. Charisma and presence were just two of the ingredients needed to spark the powder keg that became World War II Germany. However, it was also Hitler’s ability to find the right things to say at the right times that managed to strike at the hearts of German citizens.

#3: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s talent and knowledge in public speaking made him more than just an icon of the civil rights movement that included other powerful speakers like Malcolm X. MLK’s iconic status as an orator is due not only to the passion of the words he chose, but also the manner with which they were delivered. Like the true preacher he was, King always appeared confident at the podium, and spoke with a relaxed cadence that seemed to put audiences at ease. Add to this the fact that King added to that impression of genuineness by rarely referencing his prepared materials during famous moments like his “I Have a Dream...” speech, and you have a recipe for one of history’s finest public speakers.

#2: John F. Kennedy

American presidents are often placed front and center as some of history’s greatest public speakers. John Fitzgerald Kennedy may not have served as his nation’s president for long, but in his almost three years in office he managed to make a lasting impact on the country – a significance that still resonates today. This was not only due to Kennedy’s youthful demeanor and natural body language, but also in his ability to use the tone and volume of his voice in a constructive way to strengthen his message. JFK utilized all of these skills to make famous speeches like his 1961 Inaugural Address and his “Moon” speech at Rice University a year later, both of which became milestones of his short, but memorable presidency.

#1: Winston Churchill

Public speaking can leave some people absolutely petrified, and this fear can afflict even the most talented orators, like former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He conquered his fear through dedicated practice, and became PM in the thick of World War II. His first speech in the position positively inspired the British Parliament. Then before the Battle of Britain, Churchill roused troops for their fight against Nazi Germany, aligning himself with them and motivating them. Churchill carefully chose every word for his speeches, meticulously editing and making sure to maximize their impact on his audience. He was obviously successful, and as a result Churchill solidified his position as one of history’s master orators.


Which public speaker inspires you? Let us know in the comments!




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[b]dim-MOSS-THE-neez https://www.dictionary.com/browse/Demosthenes
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