If you could be any historical figure who would it be?

[Ciarán2]

This is a bit like the thread on identifying with fictional characters, only er, different.

If you had the choice to have lived the life of any historical figure - who would it be? Maybe you'd like to have experience life as a Beatle? Maybe you would like to have been George Harrison becuase he got a jot less attention than John or Paul did, and he's seen as the quiet, intelligent one. Or maybe you'd like to have been Ringo. But would you be prepared to accept the alcoholism?

How about being someone like Admiral Nelson, or Queen Elizabeth or Charles Darwin? Or Hugh Hefner? I wouldn't like to have been Hugh Hefner. Although he does seem to be a happy man.

For me, I'm aiming high here, I'd like to have been Buddha. Attaining enlightenment! Bloomin' heck!

[Slaaaaabs]

Dean Martin. Comedian, actor, singer and not as much of a cunt as Ol' Blue Eyes.

[bloodycheekymonkey]

You can be a Buddha.
Are you on the right path tho?

[Ciarán2]

No, I don't think so. Anyway I want to be a boddhisatva. They're the best Buddhists. They're the ones who, just before they attain the absolute eternal state of bliss that comes with full-scale enlightenment, they get a little inkling in their minds which says "nope, you have to ground yourself, go out and talk to people in an effort to alleviate human suffering". Not that I want to turn this into another religious thread or anything. you're right that theoretically anyone can be a buddha, so I'd like to be one please. Not just a Buddhist. I'm greedy, I want enlightenment now goddammit.

[Still Not George]

Alan Turing. God-king of computer science and official top bum bandit of WWII.

[Cardinal Tit Storm]

I'd want to be an explorer. I'll go with Leif Ericsson cos then I'd get to be a Viking too.

[weekender]

I'd be Natalie Imbruglia so I could sit and play with myself in front of a mirror.

[Mister Cairo]

I would have liked to have been Tony Benn. One of the richest lives I know of. And I saw him speak again last Friday. What an orator!

[CaledonianGonzo]

William Blake.  

Imagine walking about seeing angels everywhere; having Cleopatra stop by for an evening for a chat and a cup of tea.

No cash or respect when alive mind; but the posthumous kudos is to die for (so to speak).

[Vaguely Phallic]

Muhammed Ali, because I too have absolutely no quarrel with any Vietcong, as he said. I also had my bike stolen when I was... an adult. People mistake my dancing for Parkinson's (I know this because they're too embarrassed to criticise) and I sing like a bee. Can't say I've ever tried drowning a butterfly though.

[Derek Trucks]

If you had the choice to have lived the life of any historical figure - who would it be? Maybe you'd like to have experience life as a Beatle? Maybe you would like to have been George Harrison becuase he got a jot less attention than John or Paul did, and he's seen as the quiet, intelligent one. Or maybe you'd like to have been Ringo. But would you be prepared to accept the alcoholism?

If it's Beatles you're talking I'd pick George Martin every time.  None of that touring/press crap, being able to single-handedly move music production foward and getting to lead quite a stress-free life otherwise.  And you'd be the most talented person there.

[The Widow of Brid]

Joyce Grenfell. Writing talent, privileged background, met Elvis, had her own stamp. Great stuff.

[Neil]

Miles Davis. Massively creative, over 120+ records, changed his music dramatically at least three times, made absolute landmark recordings, was hugely influential right across music including on people like Brian Eno, had an absolutely astounding pair of ears, got to work with some of the best musicians ever etc.  

The long drawn-out death is a bit off-putting though.  That and the fondness for Cyndi Lauper.

I'd love to be Lester Bangs, but he died too soon...while listening to the Human League.

[Howj Begg]

Solomon or Croesus. That would be fun.

[Al Tha Funkee Homosapien]

I'd be weekender so I could sit and play with myself in front of little children.

[Pythov]

Hero of Alexandria

To be known as Hero, that must be great.

[Rev]

William Blake.
Imagine walking about seeing angels everywhere; having Cleopatra stop by for an evening for a chat and a cup of tea.

I'm convinced he made some of that shit up, you know.  Just like that lying Stephen King cunt.

I'd like to have been Hitler.  Not in an 'I'd have been a much nicer Hitler' sense, or an 'I'd have done the job properly' sense, but simply because truly malicious bastards fascinate me.  I don't have an ounce of that spirit in me, so a brief holiday in that mentality would do me the power of good.  I do get to leap back once everything's been sorted, right Al?

[weekender]

I'd be weekender so I could sit and play with myself in front of little children.

I don't know, you masturbate once in front of a child at a bus stop, and the next thing you're labelled for life.  Honestly, this country.

[weekender]

....

[Catalogue Trousers]

I was going to say Baron Munchausen, but then I discovered that the real Munchausen had a pretty grotty ending to his life, so...

I'm gonna be Rudolf Erich Raspe. Librarian, jewel thief, and writer of The Surprising Adventures Of Baron Munchausen. Yeah, that'll do.

[Jemble Fred]

Hello!

(No wonder I never get to babysit my nephews...)

[daisy11]

William Blake.  

Imagine walking about seeing angels everywhere; having Cleopatra stop by for an evening for a chat and a cup of tea.

No cash or respect when alive mind; but the posthumous kudos is to die for (so to speak).

A good friend wrote his PhD on WB, and my suggestion that his visions could hve been induced by ergot were dismissed immediately.  I still think I had a point.  Fantastic paintings.  I see that you're based in Scotland, are you aware that the National Gallery has originals by the great artist (can only be examined by appointment but this could have changed, they're certainly worth a visit).

[Sam]

Possibily Franz Liszt.

The greatest pianist ever. I could woo ladies with my playing.

An incredible man, though.

[sick as a pike]

Possibly someone in admin at the Spanish Inquisition.

[Cambrian Times]

Lady Emma Hamilton