The Most Famous PhDs, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the PhDs you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 3, 2024 06:59

In the realm of academia, the achievements of PhD holders have often sparked inspiration and curiosity. Ranking these scholars isn't just about listing names but appreciating the profound impacts of their work. This process helps illuminate the diverse fields they've influenced and highlights the importance of advanced research and study. By participating in this ranking, you contribute to a broader acknowledgment of academic excellence. Your votes help identify which scholars resonate most with the public and encourage a dialogue about their contributions. This, in turn, promotes a culture of admiration and motivation within the academic community and beyond.

Who Are the Most Famous PhDs?

1

113
votes
Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein

Einstein is one of the most famous PhDs in the world. He earned his PhD in physics from the University of Zurich in 1905. His theories of relativity and his contributions to the development of quantum mechanics revolutionized the field of physics.
Albert Einstein was a revolutionary physicist who developed the theory of relativity, which greatly influenced our understanding of the laws of physics and the universe. Despite facing initial skepticism and rejection, his work eventually led to numerous advances in science and technology.

Theory of Relativity: Einstein's groundbreaking theory that explains the relationships between space, time, and gravity.

Nobel Prize in Physics: Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.

E=mc²: The famous equation derived by Einstein, which relates energy (E) to mass (m) and the speed of light (c) squared.

Special Relativity: A theory that describes the behavior of objects moving at constant velocities relative to each other, challenging traditional concepts of space and time.

General Relativity: An extension of special relativity that includes acceleration and gravity, explaining the curvature of space and the motion of celestial bodies.
Albert Einstein in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous person with Dyslexia
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Pisces person
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Israeli
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous bow tie wearer
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous father
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous historical person
2

50
votes
Fotograv. - Generalstabens Litografiska Anstalt Stockholm · Public domain

Marie Curie

Marie Curie

Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist who earned her PhD from the University of Paris in 1903. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes, one in physics and one in chemistry.
Marie Curie was a renowned physicist and chemist who made pioneering contributions to the field of radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to have received Nobel Prizes in two different scientific disciplines. Curie's groundbreaking research laid the foundation for modern nuclear physics and medical treatments.

Birthdate: November 7, 1867

Nationality: Polish, later became French

Nobel Prizes: Physics (1903), Chemistry (1911)

Discoveries: Polonium and Radium

First Woman: To win a Nobel Prize
Marie Curie in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous chemist
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous female chemist
- Position 4 of 10 in Most brilliant person in the entire world
- Position 4 of 10 in Most talented person in the world
- Position 5 of 10 in Most brilliant girl in the world
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Scorpio
3

31
votes
NASA · Public domain

Stephen Hawking

Hawking was an English theoretical physicist who earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1966. He was known for his work on black holes and the origins of the universe.
Stephen Hawking in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous disabled athlete
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous cosmologist
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous Atheist
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous Brit
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous astronomer of all time
4

7
votes
Norwegian University of Science and Technology · CC BY-SA 2.0

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Joe Rogan

Tyson is an American astrophysicist who earned his PhD in astrophysics from Columbia University in 1991. He is known for his work as a science communicator and has hosted several TV shows, including "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey."
The Joe Rogan Experience podcast episode featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Guest: Neil deGrasse Tyson

Episode Number: 1159

Release Date: March 7, 2019

Duration: 3 hours and 8 minutes

Topics Discussed: Science, astrophysics, space exploration, philosophy
Neil deGrasse Tyson in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous cosmologist
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous astrophysicist
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous living scientist
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Atheist
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous astronomer of all time
5

15
votes
Armin Linnartz · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Angela Merkel

Merkel is a German politician who earned her PhD in physics from the University of Leipzig in 1986. She served as the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021 and is one of the most powerful women in the world.
Angela Merkel is a prominent German politician and businesswoman, widely recognized for her leadership as Chancellor of Germany. She has been described as one of the most powerful women in the world and is known for her influential role in shaping European politics. Merkel's leadership qualities and commitment to economic stability have earned her respect in the business community.

Nationality: German

Current Position: Chancellor of Germany

Powerful Women Ranking: Consistently listed in Forbes' Most Powerful Women list

Economic Stability: Known for her commitment to maintaining economic stability in Germany

Political Influence: Significant role in shaping European politics
Angela Merkel in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous German Chancellor
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous German person
- Position 4 of 10 in Most successful Prime Minister in the world
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous political leader in the world
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous leader
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful businesswoman in the world
6

12
votes
Nobel Foundation · Public domain

Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

King was an American Baptist minister and civil rights activist who earned his PhD in theology from Boston University in 1955. He is known for his leadership in the American civil rights movement and his advocacy for nonviolent resistance.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent civil rights activist and leader in the United States during the mid-20th century. He is best known for his role in advancing civil rights through nonviolent methods and delivering the iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech, which called for racial equality. King was an influential figure in the fight against discrimination and segregation, and his legacy continues to inspire individuals around the world.

Date of Birth: January 15, 1929

Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Education: Ph.D. in Systematic Theology

Key Achievements: Nobel Peace Prize (1964), Montgomery Bus Boycott, Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965

Leadership Style: Nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience
Martin Luther King Jr. in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous African American
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous plagiarizer
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous leader
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Boy Scout
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous martyr
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous religious figure
7

15
votes
Σ, retouched by Wugapodes · CC BY-SA 4.0

Noam Chomsky

Chomsky is an American linguist who earned his PhD in linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955. He is known for his work in the fields of linguistics, philosophy, and politics.
Noam Chomsky in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous modern philosopher
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous professor
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous Cognitive Psychologist
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous anarchist
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous elderly person
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous socialist
8

8
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

John Nash

Nash was an American mathematician who earned his PhD from Princeton University in 1950. He was the subject of the book and movie "A Beautiful Mind," which chronicled his struggles with schizophrenia and his contributions to game theory.
John Nash in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous living mathematician
9

8
votes
Supreme Court of the United States, Photographer: Steve Petteway [1] · Public domain

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ginsburg was an American lawyer and jurist who earned her PhD in law from Columbia University in 1971. She served as a Supreme Court Justice from 1993 until her death in 2020 and was known for her advocacy for women's rights.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. She was known for her intellect, groundbreaking legal decisions, and being a champion of gender equality. Throughout her life and career, she became an iconic and influential figure in American law and politics.

Birthdate: March 15, 1933

Deathdate: September 18, 2020

Position: Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

Appointed by: President Bill Clinton

Service years: 1993 - 2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Cornell alumni
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous attorney
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous person in Washington, DC
- Position 5 of 10 in Most beloved public figures
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous liberal
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Jew
10

6
votes
Sintegrity · CC BY-SA 4.0

Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Burnell is a Northern Irish astrophysicist who earned her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 1969. She discovered the first radio pulsars and was awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics in 2018.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell in other rankings
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous astrophysicist

Missing your favorite PhDs?

Graphs

Discussion

Ranking factors for famous PhDs

Significance of their contributions

The impact of their research and discoveries on their field and the world should be considered.
Publications and citations

The number and quality of their published papers and the number of times their work has been cited by other researchers.
Awards and honors

The number and prestige of awards, prizes, medals, fellowships, and other forms of recognition they have received.
Institution of affiliation

The reputation and ranking of the university or institution where they earned their PhD.
Public recognition

The level of public awareness and acclaim they have received, such as media appearances, interviews, popular books, and social media following.
Influence on their discipline

The extent to which their ideas and methods have influenced the development of their field and future generations of researchers.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous PhDs. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or PhD is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

3684 views
261 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each PhD once every 24 hours. The rank of each PhD is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous phds

When it comes to advanced degrees, earning a PhD is considered the highest level of academic achievement. It takes years of dedication and hard work to earn this prestigious degree, and those who hold it are often recognized as experts in their field. But who are the most famous PhDs? From Nobel Prize winners to political leaders, there are countless individuals who hold this esteemed degree and have made a significant impact on the world. In this article, we'll explore some of the most famous PhDs and their contributions to their respective fields.