A New Series and a Question

I'm a big history buff and love to watch pretty much anything on the history channel. And I'm always eager to learn about those people who affected history and have influenced or changed the way our world is today. So with that in mind, I'm beginning a new series of drawings and paintings titled "Influential Figures." And I want your help. I would like to pose this question to all that read this--

Who do you consider to be the most influential people of our time?

Leave a comment and tell me who you feel that person is, or more than one. And I will capture them in a drawing or painting.

But here's the RULE--they have to be deceased more than 50 years. (that way there's no copyright issues of me using a person's image or photo)

Casey Childs, Charles Dickens (1812-1870), Charcoal, 14x8.5″

I've begun by drawing Charles Dickens - English Victorian novelist

• Born: February 7, 1812
• Birthplace: Portsmouth, England
• Died: June 9, 1870 in Kent, England (stroke)
• Best Known Work: Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, Bleak House...

Charles Dickens, one of the most popular, productive, and skilled English novelist, was acclaimed for his rich storytelling and unforgettable characters. His moving, critical and sentimental stories are characterized by attacks on social injustices and hypocrisy, and offer an excellent insight into Victorian culture.

Dickens achieved massive worldwide popularity in his lifetime and is regarded as one of the giants of English literature.

Today his works are still widely read and regularly adapted for cinema and television. Over 75 feature films have been made based on his novels.

So leave a comment and give me some suggestions!