Toussaint Louverture
~1743–1803 · Haitian (Saint-Domingue/colonial Haiti) · Haitian Revolution
Known for: Leader of the Haitian Revolution—the only successful large-scale slave revolt in history
Toussaint was born into slavery on a sugar plantation in Saint-Domingue (Haiti) and rose to lead the only successful slave revolution in history. He was self-educated, reading Caesar and Enlightenment philosophy, and applied both military strategy and political cunning to defeat French, Spanish, and British forces.
He abolished slavery, drafted a constitution, and effectively governed Haiti as an autonomous state. Napoleon sent 40,000 troops to reimpose slavery; they captured Toussaint through treachery and imprisoned him in a French fortress, where he died of pneumonia and neglect.
Browse all 1,000 figures by category
Enable JavaScript to view the full "if they lived today" Q&A and personality profile.