American Reacts to the Top 10 GREATEST Brits of All Time

As an American I don't know a whole lot about British historical figures, so today I am very excited to learn all about the top 10 "greatest" Brits of all time according to a television series that was broadcast by the BBC in 2002 called 100 Greatest Britons. If you enjoyed the video feel free to leave a comment, like, or subscribe for more!

[janettesinclair]

While John Lennon and Diana, Princess of Wales were very influential in their own field and lives in modern times, I don't feel they can stand among the greats such as Brunel, Newton and Nelson who advanced knowledge, who defended our country and innovated great feats of engineering to make life easier for everyone.

[simonround]

This was five years after Diana's untimely death. The UK went a little hysterical about her. No way would she make the top ten now

[rowietappy]

A good list., but really can’t see how Diana is rated above Florence Nightingale, Queen Victoria, the Duke of Wellington, George Stephenson, Edward Jenner and many many more.

[beckytaylor-pjyv]

I don’t think Diana would make the top 100 nowadays

[richt]

Can't believe you haven't heard of Brunel. His works and legacy are still everywhere today. Amazing forward thinking engineer!

[timglennon]

Even with one eye and one arm, Nelson still won wars.

[carolineskipper]

Asking the British Public to vote on something is always fraught with danger - as exemplified by the vote for the name of a new Polar Research Vessel. Out of the 7000 potential names suggested, the winner, with a resounding majority was "Boaty McBoatface". (In the end it was named after Sir David Attenborough, and the name Boaty McBoatface was given to a smaller vessel carried on the main ship.)
I think the inclusion of Pincess Diana sort of follows this trend. She was an icon, and did do a lot of good - but a greatest Briton? Not top ten, I don't think.

[niknoks]

At least you are taking your time to learn about our country, very refreshing that you want to.

[SgtSteel]

You've heard of Trafalgar Square right Tyler? Yeah, that 150ft high column, the statue on top is Horatio Nelson.

[derekbennett]

I can’t believe Sir Frank Whittle inventor of the JET ENGINE came so low in this list behind popular entertainers.

[McCloy]

One you skimmed over, i assume because you've never heard of him is Alan Turing. He was influencial in delelopments for computer science and worked as a codebreaker during ww2. He broke the German enigma code which ended the war alot sooner than it would have been. Their is an amazing movie about his life called The Imitation Game and stars Benedict Cumberbatch.

[TrogART]

Bloody hell I would put the Queen light years before Dianna especially with her lifelong commitment to this country.

[ajsafc]

Thought Alan Turing would make the top 10, The man who broke the Enigma code.

[carolnoble]

Nelson has a column and statue in London.

[Jee]

Honestly don't think Diana should have been that high in the rankings maybe because her death was pretty close to the time and other things on the TV could have influenced the vote.

[Jeni]

You will never find an English speaking part of the British Commonwealth that pronounces “era” as error. To us it’s always been “eer-ah”

[slimofbonar]

The opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics paid a great respect to Brunel, you should take a look 👍🏻

[DruncanUK]

Charles Darwin absolutely deserves to be at the top of the list. His discoveries are the foundation for Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Anthropology and Ecology. So many of our discoveries in the medical field and our understanding of our place in the world would not have been made without Darwin (and Wallace, don't forget Wallace!).

[cimbakahn]

I think the reason Princess Diana is so high on the list is because of how much the British people loved her. She was one of the few women that was sincerely respected by foreign dignitaries. She was also more intelligent than she let on.

[ronturner]

Looking forward to your reactions to a Brunel video! Also recommend Richard Trevithick and George Stephenson and his son Robert. All relate to the invention of the steam engine and introduction of railways. The Industrial Revolution produced so many fantastic inventors and engineers!