Passion or Profession: King

Period: 1792–1828

The son of King Andrianampoinimerina, Radama I began ruling the Merina Kingdom in 1810. By allying the kingdom with the British presence on Mauritius, Radama I was able to obtain British training and weapons and extend Merina domination to most parts of Madagascar. He also permitted the London Missionary Society to spread Christianity on the island, leading to the publication of the first Malagasy Bible in 1835, seven years after his death.