While our ancestors have been roaming on this earth from the past six million years, the modern human beings started emerging only around 200,000 years ago. Civilization is believed to have begin around 6000 years ago though it has been only in the past few millennia that humans have made tremendous progress in the fields of science and technology, philosophy, mathematics, social sciences, literature, fine arts, visual arts, entertainment, sports, and other fields. Much of the progress we have made as a race has been achieved over the past 500-600 years.
The discoveries made by Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler in the 16th century set the pace for several important development in mathematics and astronomy. The 17th century scientists Sir Isaac Newton, Pierre de Fermat, and Robert Hooke, revolutionized the field of science and laid the foundations for future scientists to work on. The 18th century witnessed the birth of great people like George Washington, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Adam Smith. The world is constantly being enriched by contemporary scientists, musicians, artists, and politicians born in the 20th century as well. Read on to learn more about the life and works of famous people by century from all over the world.