John Pierpont Morgan: Probably the single greatest financier of the 19th century. He organized the creation of General Electric, US Steel, and pretty much bailed out the Federal Treasury to get the country out of the Panic of 1893 by loaning $65 million in gold to the treasury.
Yeah, but he stopped funding Tesla (who himself should be more famous; the man created just as important inventions as Edison, for goodness sake), and since more people only know J.P. Morgan in relation to his hostility towards Tesla, many don't like him.
I already mentioned Tesla, so I'll pick a few others who should be famous, IMO:
Sabbatai Zevi: An interesting, self-serving figure, Sabbatai Zevi was basically a guy who declared himself the Jewish Messiah, and who justified his flaws by terming it "holy sin". He later converted to Islam to keep the Ottomans from just killing him, but didn't stop making himself the Jewish Messiah. IMO, he's a fantastic figure for alternate history, and sort of a warning to Jewish people: Make sure your Messiah
can actually create miracles before following him.
Tamerlane: This guy was basically Genghis Khan, but crippled. And just like Genghis, he became a being of terror and hate in Europe. The only reason he didn't sack European cities like the Mongols did? He thought they were too poor to rule over. Oh, and he was exceedingly brutal. Back when he was alive, it was said that he was never defeated at chess. You wouldn't WANT to beat him at chess. I would say he's probably one of the conquerors kids with psychical disabilities should know about.
Tomyris: Warrior-queen of the Massagetaes (a Scythian-like tribe of Indo-Iranians), Tomyris is only mentioned once or twice in various histories, but she is mentioned for a very good reason: Tomyris defeated
Cyrus the Great, Persian Emperor and
used his skull as a wine goblet. One female warlord you would not want to mess with. As good an example of female power as Joan of Arc.
Baldwin IV of Jerusalem: In the theme of crippled conquerers, Baldwin IV is an excellent example. King during the Muslim reconquest of the Levant, Baldwin was the ONLY ruler to stand against Saladin and
win. Even if you hate the Crusades, Baldwin was apparently a fair, just, and kind leader, and if he wasn't stricken with leprosy, probably would have lead Jerusalem into a golden age. The Kingdom of Heaven movie is probably were most people know him from, and that's a shame.
Simo Häyhä: Known as "The White Death" to the Russians, Simo was responsible for over 700
confirmed kills against the Soviet army in their Winter War against Finland. He used clever tactics, such as employing an old, scopeless rifle (the glare on the scope of the newer rifles caused many Soviet deaths), putting snow in his mouth to mask the mist of his breath, and wearing a white uniform to blend in with the snow of Finland. He killed counter-snipers, squads sent to kill him,
artillery used to blow him up, and was only taken out of the warrior through an EXPLODING BULLET TO THE JAW. Simo is a model for snipers everywhere, and a perfect example of how to defend your country against human wave tactics.
Annd that's I have. For now, at least.