Researchers have polled across the UK to find out who, both past and present, Britons respect, for ripping up the rule book and questioning authority.
Civil rights leader, Martin Luther King came top with 40% of the vote. More than six in ten (66%) of the Britons surveyed claim they have a rebellious streak, while 39% proudly describe themselves as an “individualist” and someone who doesn’t like to conform to the status quo, according to the research from tequila brand Maestro DOBEL.
As many as 78% of those surveyed believe it takes someone with a rebellious nature to make a change in society and to challenge out-of-date beliefs. While eight in ten (77%) believe that real, lasting change only comes through breaking the rules and going against the system.
Maria Grazia Modafferi, Brand Ambassador of Maestro DOBEL:
“The survey celebrates rule-breaking brilliance, by understanding who Brits admire. It would seem the key to excellence and progression really does require a rebellious streak”.
Musicians such as John Lennon (14%), David Bowie (10%), Johnny Rotten (10%) and Lady Gaga (8%) made the list, while creative masters including Banksy (14%), Vivienne Westwood (9%), Andy Warhol (7%) and Pablo Picasso (6%) also featured in the top 25.
But it was social activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr, who sought equality and human rights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged and all victims of injustice through peaceful protest, who topped the poll.
South African anti-apartheid activist and politician, Nelson Mandela came second (37%), while ‘Mother of Civil Rights’ Rosa Parks came third with a quarter (24%) of the vote. From history, Joan of Arc (20%), who led the French army to victory at Orléans during the Hundred Years War, made the list, as did Boudica (14%) who famously gave the Romans a run for their money.
Even Prince Harry, who has turned his back on Britain’s biggest authority, The Royal family, made the list with 11% of the vote.
THE 30 GREATEST REBELS OF ALL TIME, AS VOTED FOR BY BRITS
- Martin Luther King – 40%
- Nelson Mandela – 37%
- Rosa Parks – 24%
- Mahatma Gandhi – 23%
- Greta Thunberg – 22%
- Joan of Arc – 20%
- Muhammed Ali – 16%
- John Lennon – 14%
- Banksy – 14%
- Boudica – 14%
- Spartacus – 13%
- Prince Harry – 11%
- Johnny Rotten – 10%
- David Bowie – 10%
- Germaine Greer – 10%
- Sitting Bull – 9%
- Vivienne Westwood – 9%
- Malala Yousafzai – 9%
- Galileo Galilei – 8%
- Lady Gaga – 8%
- John McEnroe – 7%
- Madonna – 7%
- Wat Tyler – 7%
- Crazy Horse – 7%
- Andy Warhol – 7%
- Harriet Tubman – 6%
- Steve Jobs – 6%
- Pablo Picasso – 6%
- Jane Fonda – 6%
- James Dean – 6%
