Great Bastards of History

Jute Fiorillo. 272 sivua. 2010.

"Great Bastards of History" refers to a 2010 book by Juré Fiorillo highlighting famous individuals born out of wedlock who overcame social stigma to achieve greatness. Key figures include William the Conqueror, Leonardo da Vinci, and Alexander Hamilton, whose stories are often characterized by immense drive and resilience against societal constraints. 

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Key "Great Bastards" Highlighted in the Book and History
These individuals (primarily covered in Fiorillo's work) often had to forge their own paths due to the legal or social disadvantages of their birth: 

William the Conqueror (1028–1087): Known early in life as "William the Bastard," he overcame his illegitimate birth to become Duke of Normandy and conquer England in 1066.

• Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519): Due to his illegitimate birth, he was barred from universities and traditional professions, allowing him to pursue a more unconventional, creative path.

• Elizabeth I (1533–1603): Declared illegitimate following the execution of her mother, Anne Boleyn, she survived the political turmoil to become one of England’s most successful monarchs.

• Alexander Hamilton (1757–1804): Born in the Caribbean, he overcame abandonment to become a Founding Father of the United States.

• Bernardo O'Higgins (1778–1842): The illegitimate son of a Spanish viceroy who became the primary liberator and national hero of Chile.

• Eva Perón (1919–1952): Rose from poverty and the stigma of illegitimate birth to become a cultural icon and influential political figure in Argentina.

• Fidel Castro (1926–2016): Led a revolution in Cuba after overcoming the, at the time, unconventional circumstances of his birth.