People I Admire

The 14th Dalai Lama

In exile since 1959, an international symbol of resistance to China's cultural genocide of Tibet — the destruction of Buddhist monasteries, writings, and artifacts beginning with annexation in 1950. Thousands of Monks were killed. Christopher read one of his books in which a fellow Monk, imprisoned by the Chinese Army, focused only on the well-being of his captors. That level of compassion was deeply impressive. The Dalai Lama has given up the fight to free Tibet — not because the taking was not an atrocity, but because continuing to struggle against China's overwhelming force is undignified and ineffectual.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1931–2021)

A spiritual hero. He chaired the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa in 1996 after the end of apartheid — a court-like restorative justice body authorized by Nelson Mandela. Victims gave statements about their experiences; perpetrators could give testimony and request amnesty from civil and criminal prosecution.

Mother Teresa (1910–1997) — Saint Teresa of Calcutta (2016)

She found people by the side of the road too infirm to be taken to her hospice — with only minutes to live. She held their hand, looked into their eyes, and told them they were not alone and they were loved. She said no human being should ever die alone unloved. When asked about her relationship with God, she said she rarely felt His presence — but that it wouldn't be Faith if she felt validation all the time. She just had to trust that what she was doing was good. That humility is probably why she became a Saint.

The Buddha

The founder of Buddhism, known for his teachings on peace, compassion, and enlightenment.

Moses

A foundational figure in the history of law, justice, and moral leadership.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

His "I Have a Dream" speech was one of the most quintessential articulations of what it means to be an American. The Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955–1956), following Rosa Parks' arrest, led to the desegregation of buses and set a precedent for non-violent protest.

John Lewis

Participated in the 1960 Nashville sit-ins and the Freedom Rides. Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) from 1963 to 1966. One of the "Big Six" organizers of the 1963 March on Washington. In 1965 he led the first Selma to Montgomery march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge — where state troopers attacked the marchers on what became known as Bloody Sunday.

Thurgood Marshall

The first African-American Supreme Court Justice. Won 29 of the 32 civil rights cases he argued before the Supreme Court, culminating in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which rejected the separate but equal doctrine and held segregation in public education unconstitutional.

Mahatma Gandhi

A lawyer and leader of India's independence movement, known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. His Salt March (1930) — a 240-mile march to the sea to collect salt — challenged the British salt monopoly and demonstrated non-violent resistance on a massive scale. Henry David Thoreau's writings on civil disobedience inspired Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and movements across Europe and Asia.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

A Supreme Court justice who championed gender equality and women's rights.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

U.S. Supreme Court justice and legal historian who advocated for judicial restraint and broad freedom of speech. In Schenck v. United States (1919) he formulated the "clear and present danger" test. In his famous dissent in Abrams v. United States (1919): "the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market... we should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we loathe and believe to be fraught with death."

H.L.A. Hart

A prominent figure in Anglo-American legal philosophy. The Concept of Law developed sophisticated legal positivism, including the distinction between primary rules (governing conduct) and secondary rules (rules about rules): the Rule of Recognition, the Rule of Change, and the Rule of Adjudication. Also developed the concept of "open-textured" terms in law — ideas now influential in Artificial Intelligence and law.

Ronald Dworkin

Regarded as one of the most important legal philosophers of the late 20th century. His theory of law as integrity — presented in Law's Empire — holds that judges interpret the law in terms of consistent moral principles, especially justice and fairness.

Joseph Raz

A key figure in Anglo-American legal philosophy, advocate of legal positivism, and known for his conception of perfectionist liberalism.

Cass Sunstein

A widely cited legal scholar with a focus on administrative law and behavioral economics. New York Times best-selling author of The World According to Star Wars (2016) and Nudge (2008). Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs under President Obama (2009–2012).

Richard A. Posner

A highly cited legal scholar and judge, known for his foundational work in law and economics.

Abraham Lincoln

Before becoming President, Lincoln was a prominent lawyer known for his integrity and ability to connect with people. Sewn on the inside of his jacket when he was assassinated: "One Country. One Destiny." He died for his vision.

Barack Obama

A constitutional law professor and 44th President of the United States.

Michelle Obama

Lawyer, author, and former First Lady.

John F. Kennedy

The 35th President of the United States, admired for his charisma and vision.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States, who led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Human rights champion, diplomat, and longest-serving First Lady.

Winston Churchill

British Prime Minister who led the Allied resistance against Nazi Germany.

Bill Clinton

42nd President of the United States.

Jimmy Carter

39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

George Washington

Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and first President of the United States.

Thomas Jefferson

Principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States.

Benjamin Franklin

Founding Father, diplomat, inventor, and polymath.

Alexander Hamilton

Founding Father, first Secretary of the Treasury, and architect of American financial institutions.

Albert Einstein

A German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity.

Leonardo da Vinci

An Italian polymath, known for his contributions to art, science, engineering, and more.

Isaac Newton

Mathematician, physicist, and astronomer — one of the most influential scientists in history.

Nikola Tesla

Inventor and electrical engineer whose work laid the foundation for modern alternating current electrical systems.

Charles Darwin

Naturalist whose theory of evolution by natural selection transformed our understanding of life on Earth.

Marie Curie

Physicist and chemist, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to win in two different sciences.

Linus Pauling

The reason Christopher takes Vitamin C. Two-time Nobel Prize winner — Chemistry and Peace.

Werner Heisenberg

Theoretical physicist and pioneer of quantum mechanics.

Socrates

The father of Western philosophy, known for the Socratic method of inquiry.

Aristotle

Philosopher, scientist, and student of Plato whose works shaped Western thought for centuries.

Plato

Philosopher and founder of the Academy in Athens, student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle.

Confucius

Chinese philosopher whose teachings on ethics, family, and governance have influenced East Asian culture for millennia.

Adam Smith

Economist and philosopher, author of The Wealth of Nations — the foundational text of modern economics.

Thorstein Veblen

Economist and sociologist known for his critique of conspicuous consumption and the leisure class.

John Locke

Philosopher whose theories on natural rights and government by consent profoundly influenced the American Founders.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher whose ideas on democracy, equality, and the social contract shaped the French Revolution and modern political thought.

Immanuel Kant

Philosopher whose Critique of Pure Reason and categorical imperative remain central to modern ethics and epistemology.

Helen Keller

American author, political activist, and lecturer who was deaf and blind — a symbol of human resilience and determination.

Henry David Thoreau

His writings on non-violent civil disobedience inspired Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and independence movements across Europe and Asia.

Thom Hartmann

Progressive political commentator, author, and radio host.

Shakespeare

The greatest writer in the English language — playwright, poet, and observer of the human condition.

John Grisham

Lawyer turned bestselling author of legal thrillers.

Michelangelo

Italian Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, and poet — creator of the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the statue of David.

Thomas Edison

Inventor of the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a practical incandescent light bulb.

Alexander Graham Bell

Inventor of the telephone and pioneer of communication technology.

Muhammad Ali

So much more than a boxer. A champion of civil rights, religious freedom, and personal conviction.

Richard Pryor

Groundbreaking stand-up comedian whose raw honesty about race, addiction, and the human experience changed comedy forever.

Dave Chappelle

Comedian and cultural commentator known for his fearless and incisive social observations.

Michael Bublé

Canadian jazz and pop vocalist.

Lady Gaga

Singer, songwriter, and actress — known for her powerful voice and her performance of the National Anthem at the 59th Presidential Inauguration, January 20, 2021.

Harry Connick Jr.

Jazz pianist, vocalist, and entertainer.

Tony Bennett

Legendary American singer known for his interpretations of the Great American Songbook.

Frank Sinatra

The Chairman of the Board — one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century.

Diana Krall

Canadian jazz pianist and vocalist.

Leonard Cohen

Canadian singer-songwriter and poet — author of Hallelujah.

Bob Dylan

Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter and poet whose music defined a generation.

Billy Joel

The Piano Man — one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Freddie Mercury

Lead vocalist of Queen — one of the greatest rock performers in history.