Biography great man

Definition and origins

Popularized in the 19th century, the great man theory is a historical methodological approach that explains history through the lens of heroes or great men and their actions in historic events.

These heroes are characterized by their influence in history, their courage in such historic events as battles, their intellect, and above all their leadership abilities in the face of adversity.

Biography great man

As Tod Lindberg explains inThe Heroic Heart (2015), what defines a figure in history as being wholeheartedly heroic is the person’s ability to face death:

A hero doesn’t seek death, but neither does a hero let the possibility of violent death deter resolute action toward the purpose at hand.

Of those who are so deterred, one may say that death has a power over them even as they live. The fear of death shapes their responses to the events of their lives.