Also an ardent free trader.

(1) Ella Baker–who not only was there throughout every critical stage of the civil rights movement, but played a critical role in it in more ways than one.

(2) E.D. Nixon of Montgomery, Alabama. A. Philip Randolph already has a movie and a shelf of books about him. Nixon exemplifies what being a member of the Brotherhood allowed activists to do in the depths of the Deep South during the 40’s and 50’s.

(3) Rose Schneiderman, whose life traces the arc from sweatshops and the Uprising of the 20,000 to New Deal reformism, with some detours through the class-based fissures in early feminism.

I humbly put forth the name of Thomas Paine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_paine
(note: wiki artickle contains recently disputed biographical details. Hope someone (who isn’t as lazy as me) updates it soon)

The catalyst for the American Revolution. Coined the phrase “The United States of America.” Originator of “constitutionalism” and many modern human rights ideals. Arguably the 18th century’s biggest best-seller (American revolutionaries usually owned only the Bible and “Common Sense”). Participated in both the American and French Revolutions (and had an abortive attempt at a British one as well). Invented the first entirely metal stanchion-less bridge and a smokeless candle. Ur-socialist (welfare, income equality, social security). Lived his entire life in poverty. Later vilified for his open Deism (Teddy Roosevelt inaccurately called him a “filthy little atheist”). Oh, and he fought pirates(!) when he was a young man.

Advocated women’s suffrage; the abolition of slavery, the death penalty, and animal cruelty; and recognizing the sovereignty of aboriginal tribal nations; . . . in 1774. Only one of the “founding fathers” who would be labeled “liberal” or “progressive” nowadays (eat it, Jefferson: you owned slaves).

Obviously, I’m rather fond of the guy.

I did. I invented sarcasm.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archytas

Right I’m going out now. I may be some time.

I suppose you could also say that about Anaximander.’

According to some people, Empedocles not only agreed with Anaximander’s evolutionary viewpoint but was the first person (so far as we know) to propose natural selection.

‘Empedocles even suggested a form of natural selection, which Aristotle summarized as, “Wherever then all the parts came about [to be] just what they would have been if they had come to be for an end, such things survived, being organized spontaneously in a fitting way; whereas those which grew otherwise perished and continue to perish.’

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_evolutionary_thought

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero_of_Alexandria

As you would know if you spent a bit less of your time reading these new fangled ‘books’ and spent just a bit more time doing something constructive: like watching reruns of QI on Channel Dave.

Perhaps amongst you there is a Willans & Searle expert, hem hem, wot mite be able to enlighten me.