# Wanted. Historical figures i can plausibly attribute superpowers too. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 2, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195 "2008-10-02T16:54:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/21 "2008-10-02T18:25:16Z")
> [@](#): > > A friend of mine once suggested that Leonardo daVinci was a talented but not towering-genius-level twenty-first century engineer and time traveller who got stuck in the past. To keep from going insane, he spent his spare time doodling schematics for planes, helicopters, automobiles, etc., adapting them to Renaissance-era technology. > > You should know, however, that this friend was a notorious plagiarizer, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he read that in a science fiction story. Heinlein suggested that in **A Door into Summer** – a scientist reported that a student of his, Leonard Vincent, tried time travel and never came back, and he couldn’t help but think… ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/22 "2008-10-02T18:41:10Z")
Albert Johnson, the [Mad Trapper of Rat River](http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/NWT/madtrapper.htm). > [@](#): > > The dynamite was thrown into the structure and a massive explosion ripped the roof clean off with one of the walls caving in. > > As the Mounties entered the cabin to remove the corpse, Johnson stood up from a fox hole he dug firing 2 weapons narrowly missing both officers. A hasty retreat was in order again. After a 15 hr siege and food starting to run low they returned to Aklavik to contemplate their next move. > . . . > On Jan 30th he was confronted once more. After a short shootout, Constable ‘Spike’ Millen lay dead - shot through the heart. Johnson made his escape by climbing a sheer cliff in the dead of night. > . . . > During a raging blizzard he climbed over these 7,000 ft mountains with very little food and no climbing gear. With visibility during the blizzard at near zero, trying to cling to sheer cliffs of slippery ice and numbing cold, the mountain men of the area told the Mounties it would be impossible to do at this time of the year even with the proper gear and food. > . . . > Where did he come from (his finger prints were no help)? No family member ever claimed the body. Before entering the Arctic River area no one had ever heard of him. During the entire man hunt the Mounties never heard him speak a word. And yet he had over $2,000 in cash and some placer gold in his possession. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/23 "2008-10-02T18:49:40Z")
[Otto Skorzeny](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Skorzeny) was one hell of a commando. He did what the US Special Forces was formed to do, and did it without a governament to support him. Despite all the terrorist work he did after Germany’s surrender, he was acquitted in his post-war trial, and denazified by the post-war German government, which suggests some mind-control powers. After having two tumors removed from his spine, he walked again, against doctors’ predictions. or [, AKA Haile Selassie, last emperor of Ethiopia. He was (and still is) worshipped as God incarnate by the Rastafarians. Considerable controversy surrounds his death, and it was 17 years before his remains were found. [url="[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo"]Geronimo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras\_Tafari"=Ras](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geronimo%22%5DGeronimo%5D(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ras_Tafari%22=Ras) Tafari[/ur), medicine man and war chief of the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians. Allegedly bulletproof, highly charismatic, skilled desert survivalist, tracker and scout. Supposedly posessed the “medicine of the mole”, which gave him the ability to disappear into the earth and reappear somehwere else, ready to fight again. He surrendered to the US authorities to protect the women and children of his band, and after his release he became a celerity. He rode in President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1905 inaugural parade. [Red Cloud](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Cloud) was also supposed to be bulletproof, as were many plains Indians of the 19th Century. This might have more to do with the quality of gunpowder at the time than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/24 "2008-10-02T18:54:05Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Adolf Hitler : Hypnotic persuasive abilities, and the ability to project emotions onto other ( like hatred ) on a large scale. > > Queen Elizabeth : Weather control ( used against the Spanish Armada ) Mary Jo Putney’s _The Alchemical Marriage_ uses that idea–although it isn’t Queen Elizabeth who has the ability to control weather. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/25 "2008-10-02T19:08:42Z")
[Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, AKA Ras Tafari](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie), The last emperor of Ethipoia is considered God incarnate by the Rastafarian religion. He never denied these claims. His death is shrouded in mystery, and his remains wern’t found for 17 years afterwards. In 1978 he was missing, presumed dead, with no remains yet found. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/26 "2008-10-02T19:11:08Z")
This far into the thread and nobody’s mentioned Teddy Roosevelt? The man was a force of nature. ---
**Author:** ![DeptfordX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DeptfordX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeptfordX)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/27 "2008-10-02T19:27:45Z")
As i said earlier assigning mass mind-control to figures like **Adolf Hitler** and his ilk is too obvious. Whst i’m after is the inexplicable man or event that covert superpowers explain. Of the suggestions we’ve had so far Rasputin was the first and still the best, though i’m not denigrating the many others i’ve liked. We have a glut of modern and some ancient figures so far. anbody got any Dark age / Medieval figures. i was thinking maybe **Harald Hardrada** might be interestung. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/28 "2008-10-02T19:48:51Z")
For a physical threat, perhaps Jackie Robinson, Jim Thorpe, or [Lionel Conacher](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Conacher). Hell, his middle name was Pretoria. If that doesn’t destine you for powers… Old school, perhaps [Amalek](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalek), a Biblical baddy. So evil that God wanted his name blotted out and forgotten. Or good old [Babbage](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babbage). Rommel or [Canaris](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilhelm_Canaris)? This is too fun. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/29 "2008-10-02T19:59:51Z")
[John “Grizzly” Adams](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_%22Grizzly%22_Adams), lycanthrope. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/30 "2008-10-02T20:01:00Z")
For badass Vikings, look no further than the Icelandic [Sagas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_sagas). They’re at least “based on a true story”. Or rather said, written quite awhile after the events depicted take place. I’d recommend checking out the badassness of: [ul] [li][Brennu-Njáls Saga](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nj%C3%A1l's_saga)[/li][li][Grettissaga](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grettis_saga)[/li][li][Egilssaga](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egils_saga)[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/31 "2008-10-02T20:19:19Z")
Spring-Heeled Jack. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/32 "2008-10-02T20:29:28Z")
Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) Squanto Alvin York Audie Murphy Crazy Horse Bruce Lee Miyamoto Musashi ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/33 "2008-10-02T21:06:17Z")
Nikola Tesla, as a mentat? ---
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/34 "2008-10-02T21:10:08Z")
Archimedes had fairly superhuman smarts, thinking up stuff others wouldn’t understand for hundreds of years. A favorite from Irish legend is [Cuculain](http://www.shortmountainmusic.com/Goat/ShortStories/ccln.htm), who singlehandedly defended Ulster from an attack by the other four-fifths of Ireland (the men of Ulster were incapacitated by labor pains, you understand). Several of his feats were clearly early superheroics, though he wasn’t very nice to Finnabair. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/35 "2008-10-02T21:25:21Z")
Teddy Roosevelt [http://www.viruscomix.com/page451.html](http://www.viruscomix.com/page451.html) ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/36 "2008-10-02T21:38:19Z")
Peter Francisco was, arguably, superhuman _in real life!_ > **[Peter Francisco](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Francisco)** > > Peter Francisco (born Pedro Francisco; July 9, 1760 – January 16, 1831) was a Portuguese-born American blacksmith and soldier best known for his service in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. > Francisco's very early years are shrouded in mystery. It is believed he was born on July 9, 1760, at Porto Judeu, on the island of Terceira, in the Archipelago of the Azores, Portugal. In the case of the origin of his identification with the child named Pedro Francisco, his parents... > [@](#): > > The cover page of a 2006 issue of Military History asked a rhetorical question which suggested he may have been the greatest soldier in American History. George Washington once said that Francisco’s prowess directly enabled American victories in two battles, and went on to state the war may have even been lost without Francisco’s participation. > > Legends of Francisco’s strength abound. He singlehandedly pulled an 1,100 pound American cannon free from its gun carriage during the retreat from Camden, a feat which was commemorated in 1975 on an American postage stamp in the Contributors to the Cause Bicentennial series; a team of six mules is said to have been unable to dislodge the weapon. He is also said to have thrown two men, along with their horses, over a fence near his farm when they attempted to annoy him. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/37 "2008-10-02T21:40:47Z")
About 12 years ago, Mark Waid was writing the Flash, and he was developing a mystery of the true identity of Max Mercury, I offered the theory that Max was really Benjamin Franklin, having gained super-speed through being struck by lightning. He was quite an ahead-of-his-time scientist, I imagine he would make a plausible super-hero. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/38 "2008-10-02T21:45:21Z")
How about Bach? From [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugue#Baroque_era): > [@](#): > > Johann Sebastian Bach often entered into contests where he would be given a subject with which to spontaneously improvise a fugue on the organ or harpsichord. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/39 "2008-10-02T21:46:17Z")
I think there is a theory that the various Eastern European physics geniuses (genii ?) that emigrated to America in before WW2 (such as John von Neuman), were in fact aliens sent to impart their supernatural knowledge to mankind. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195/40 "2008-10-02T22:04:44Z")
Warren Buffett can see the future. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wanted-historical-figures-i-can-plausibly-attribute-superpowers-too/466195.md?page=3)