Passion or Profession: Revolutionary Leader

Period: 1748–1792

Tiradentes gained his unique nickname, which means “tooth-puller,” because of his early work as a dentist. He went on to become an officer in the military. An advocate of Enlightenment ideals, he and several compatriots rebelled when Portugal tried to collect back-taxes from Brazil. However, the rebellion was easily put down; Tiradentes was imprisoned, and after a two-year trial, he was convicted and publicly hung on 21 April 1792. When Brazil gained independence years later, Tiradentes was remembered as a hero, and 21 April was named a national holiday.