I would have to agree with some other in saying Adolf Hitler. Yes, MLK stood up for many African Americans, but that was in America. Adolf Hitler is world wide figure who has made his mark everywhere with his harsh beliefs and hostile takeovers.

JESUS.

We're talking son of God here people..

Hitler? You gotta be kidding me!

Yeah. Definitely Jesus. He's the most famous person in history. People know of him from every corner of the world and from every culture on Earth.

well, who do most people remember? probably Dr. Martin Luther King. I mean, that's the earliest figure i remember learning about in school... or maybe George Washington (but all we learned about him was that he was the first president).

Since you didn't specify USA only, I'm gonna have to say Hitler. I'm sure Dr.King is mostly an american icon where Hitler is world wide.

Jesus, the star of the "best selling book in the world, of all time". He is supposedly the son of "God", who would NOT know? Known, well, for over 2000 years now, how could anyone say Hitler or MLKjr without first thinking Jesus!?

I'm not even religious.

I would have to agree with lawnman. "Memorable" is relatively subjective. Also, a few other comments, I know I'll catch hell for this, but hey, that's why I am here. First of all the bible is not "His" book. Jesus did not write it, nor did God, technically speaking. It is "God's word" inspired through the hands of prophets, scholars, mystics and other individuals through antiquity. It is a book not only about "Him", but also of numerous other interesting characters; Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Mary, etc., etc., etc. Globally speaking, Jesus, is not known everywhere. According to my own narrow Judeo-Christian tradition views with 16 years of a catholic education, I can understand the point made by some and could argue it subjectively. However, many non-Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoist', (you see where I am going) might disagree with you on JC. I can also throw another monkey wrench and say that you are now including a fictional character as there is no historical factual proof that Jesus actually existed. It is one's faith that holds his existence and faith is undoubtedly subjective. I would say that the most infamously memorable person in history would be Adolf Hitler. He crosses the lines of race, and religion as well as generations.

Hey Wolfman,

Had you chose the word "influential" in the stead of "memorable" you might of had a debate on your hands. Popularity contests evidence nothing more than subjectivity; beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. And in this contest, memorability is in the memory of the most biased preferences of certain individuals. I for one, could say without challenge: My father is the most memorable person in the history of which I study.

You might one day regret being in an alliance with me. I, on the other hand, don't mind sharpening your skills. Take it as such!