“A terrific and varied list”

This is a terrific and varied list, with scientists, authors and warriors jostling with those who fought for social justice, equality and fairness.

It also speaks about how small our world is. It’s surprising not to find Fatima, Muhammad’s daughter, on the list, given her importance to Shi’a and Sunni interpretations of Islam. No space too for powerful Chinese empresses such as Lü Zhi or Wu Zetian. This also points to how western-centric our world is.

Then again, I am flabbergasted not to find Queen Elizabeth I nominated. I would certainly have voted for her.

Peter Frankopan, is professor of global history at the University of Oxford