Great Mentor Relationships Throughout History

From the beginning of time, men and women alike have had the insight to learn from those who came before them. Passing down knowledge of a skill or trade from one generation to the next is a time-honored tradition. The relationship between the master craftsman and the apprentice was the best training a young adolescent could hope for—and a training that every parent could appreciate. In a time where one had to choose a trade at an early age, apprenticeship was the most effective schooling to prepare for a lifelong career. And within the art of mentorship, there were several relationships throughout history that still teach us the value, power, and importance of this sort of training. From artists to scientists and philosophers to businessmen, these mentorships shaped the lives of many through the accomplishments of the mentored.

Henri Becquerel and Marie Curie
Marie Curie was one of the most influential physicists in history. She helped discover radioactive substances in radium and was the first to isolate radium and determine its atomic weight. In 1903, she, her husband, Pierre, and her mentor, Henri Becquerel, received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their research on radiation. She was the first female to receive a Nobel Prize, and later received a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Curie was greatly influenced by Becquerel’s work on uranium compounds and rays, which helped expedite her discovery of radium. Marie Curie teaches us that a mentorship can help give us the much-needed foreknowledge to make further discoveries and achieve success in our fields.

Mrs. Duncan and Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most prominent individuals in popular culture. Through television, literature, and philanthropy, Oprah has elevated herself to an innovator and influencer. Her rise to influence can be greatly attributed to her fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Duncan. According to Oprah, “One of the defining moments of my life came in the fourth grade, the year I was Mrs. Duncan’s student. What Mrs. Duncan did for me was to help me to not be afraid of being smart. She encouraged me to read, and she often stayed after school to work with me, helping me choose books and letting me help her grade papers.” The relationship Oprah had with Mrs. Duncan shows us the importance mentoring has on young, impressionable minds.

Warren Buffet and Bill Gates
As co-founder and CEO of Microsoft, Bill Gates has made a name for himself as an influencer and philanthropist. He is one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and continues to lead the world’s largest personal computer software company. According to a CNBC interview at Columbia University, Gates attributed to his mentor, Warren Buffet, the power of taking a complex idea and putting it in its simplest form for the benefit of others. He has also written that Buffet has advised him on investing, the importance of your platform, and the value of time. Bill Gates’ mentorship with Warren Buffet displays the importance of continued learning—even after monumental success.

Socrates and Plato / Plato and Aristotle / Aristotle and Alexander the Great
These three relationships are the quintessence of mentoring. The mantra “mentor and be mentored” could not be as well applied as was lived out by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Understanding the power of giving guidance and celebrating the importance of such a relationship is the first step in beginning a legacy. Plato was a student of Socrates and was one of the most influential in sharing his mentor’s philosophy. The legacy would then be passed from Plato to Aristotle and onto Alexander the Great, to whom Aristotle tutored in the rural Macedonian village of Mieza. The chain of leaders affected by Socrates shows us the importance of passing on the power of mentoring and leaving a legacy.

Mentorships have helped shape numerous individuals’ success in more ways than one. Whether being a direct teacher or simply inspiring others to achieve greatness, mentors take it upon themselves to impart the knowledge and experience they have gained throughout their lives. And in many instances, the mentee becomes the mentor.

What are your favorite mentor relationships throughout history? How has a mentorship affected your career path? Let us know in the comments section below!

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