There are thousands of incredible historical figures that have served as role models to generations of different people. The likes of Shakespeare, Sun Tze, Confucius and more are renowned for the things they did, said and experienced in their lives. As a result, their legacies have become a thing of legend. In many cases, these figures are still well known because historians have done their work to find hard evidence of their existence. That’s not to say that sometimes their investigations don’t uncover complete fabrications. There may be a few that are pure works of fiction, with no proof of having ever existed in the real world after all. So which popular documented figures might be complete figments of the imaginations of creative people, after all?
Popular Documented Figures That May Be Completely Made Up
Mulan
Well before anybody in the West had heard of this warrior princess thanks to the Disney film, Mulan was already legendary in China. Many believe that what was portrayed in the film is historically accurate and that a real-world Mulan fought on behalf of her father in a heroic act well ahead of its time. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that Mulan herself ever existed, to begin with. Regardless of this, she is an inspirational figure to 90’s kids all over the world.
Mulan
King Arthur
King Arthur is a revered figure for men and women everywhere, largely thanks to some of the Hollywood films that have made him a historical-cultural figure. The trouble is, that most of the facts presented in these films aren’t historically validated. Some historians suggest that he is a character based on Roman commander Lucius Artorius Castus, while others offer different references for who might have inspired the creation of what is actually just a fictional King.
King Arthur
William Shakespeare
Known as the greatest playwright of all time, William Shakespeare has a literary legacy that is unparalleled in history. At the same time, there are some who suggest he was someone else entirely, writing under a pen name. One theory goes as far as to suggest his work was ghostwritten by a school teacher, published for the first time after his death. Because it inspired millions of writers for generations to come, are we really that bothered if this was the case?
William Shakespeare
Robin Hood
It’s hard to believe that the story of Robin Hood has been around for over eight centuries already. To this day, it’s impossible for anybody to verify its validity. Although “Robin Hood” was a sacred code name given to outlaws that were going against the system at that time, there is no historical proof that they actually refer to a single person. Even if he is completely made up, millions of children agree that he is a role model for compassion and kindness nevertheless.
Robin Hood
Confucius
Popular for being one of the wisest philosophers in history, Confucius is often quoted on social media every single day. Was the Chinese thinker a mere imaginary figure, after all? Some researchers suggest this might be the case. A study done at the University of Colorado suggests that he is a fictional creation of the Jesuit missionaries way back in the 1500’s. Others insist that he was a real-life human that was wise beyond his years.
Confucius
William Tell
Known around the world for being commanded to shoot an apple off his son’s head back in the 1300’s, and doing it successfully we might add, William Tell is an iconic figure in popular culture. The renowned troublemaker gains favor with people from all walks of life, who like his adventurous spirit and mischievous stream. Problem is, that his story is very similar to a Viking folk tale, and has never been able to be historically proved over the years.
William Tell
Sun Tzu
Credited copious amounts of times for his guidebook to war, some historians have shone a light on the fact that nobody really knows the origins of his popular book, The Art of War. Some suggest it is a collection of fragments passed along from generation to generation (and collated by Tzu), while others trust that he was a wise warrior who had foresight about techniques that are still relevant to the world as it is today.
Sun Tzu
Homer
Although we know for sure that Homer Simpson is a fictional character, you might turn your nose up at hearing that many people believe the original Homer (a renowned author and poet) may be made up as well. One theory suggests that Homer was actually a blind woman, and that “his” stories were ghostwritten in order to gain more readers at the time. A more likely scenario is that Homer was a collective name for a group of bright and ambitious students with a vision to share.
Homer
John Henry
Because his story is shared via song, skeptics suggest that John Henry was never real to begin with. As the lyrics go, John Henry is revered for challenging a steam drill to see who can work quicker. John wins the challenge, but dies from exhaustion. The song helped to build unity when people feared that steam drills would take their jobs. Other than that, there is no recollection of a real John Henry or the story itself.
John Henry
Kunta Kinte
When Alex Haley’s Roots was released, Kunta Kinte’s story gained mainstream recognition. It even went as far as Gambia itself, where an island was named after the popular character. An undeniable cultural impact, but unfortunately it can’t be verified as factually correct. Sources don’t seem to match up, which suggests that Kunta might just be a good piece of fiction after all. Either way, the tale has inspired millions of people and brought joy into their hearts regardless.
Kunta Kinte
Helen of Troy
The wife of Greek King Menelaus in The Iliad, Helen of Troy is a popular character that has been portrayed to death on stage and screen over the last few decades. Although a strong presence in art form, historians question whether she ever existed to begin with. Most believe that she was added to the story as an afterthought, a simple act that has had such widespread consequences, with millions of people around the world believing her to be real.
Helen Of Troy
Jesus
When you ask about the existence of Jesus Christ, different religions will tell you different things. Such is the nature of the multicultural, globalised world we lived in. One of the most widely celebrated Christian figures of all time, the jury is out on whether he actually existed, and if the Bible is to be trusted as factually accurate. No matter what you believe, it’s hard to argue against the societal and systemic klout of a figure known even outside of the religion he represents.
Jesus
King Solomon
As such a long time has passed since his alleged existence, there isn’t much evidence to suggest that King Solomon was a real person to begin with. Known for exorbitant wealth and for being the wealthiest person on the planet during his lifetime, there are no links to specific artifacts or his personal fortune in the world today. Perhaps they are well hidden (and will be discovered one day), or simply never existed in the first place to begin with.
King Solomon
Midas
If like many other people, you’ve heard the phrase “Midas touch” being thrown around in songs, movies or television shows, you’ve probably wondered who the term was referring to. Greek mythology claims that King Midas had the ability to turn anything to gold at the touch of his hand. Even though his possible burial site dated back to the time when he is claimed to have been alive has been discovered, there was nothing to be found that suggested he ever laid his head there.
Midas
Jack The Ripper
London has never been the same since Jack The Ripper terrorized its inhabitants in the 1800’s. His name has been linked to the death of countless prostitutes in the area at the time, often in a very gruesome manner. All this time later, his identity has never been confirmed. Confessions have come in aplenty, but the newest documentaries about his victims never lead to anything conclusive. A question remains about whether he was human to begin with. Perhaps he is still haunting the city to this day.
Jack The Ripper
Odysseus or Ulysses
We’ve already covered the uncertainties around Homer’s existence. In line with this, we should also mention one of the main characters in “his” startling poem, The Odyssey. Odysseus (or Ulysses) is claimed to have taken a decade to get back home to Troy after it fell. Suspected remains dating back to a building from that time have been uncovered, suggesting that the prominent and popular character might not be as fictional as most people think.
Odysseus Or Ulysses
Pythagoras
If you can remember even a little bit of trigonometry from high school mathematics, the name Pythagoras will ring a bell. His theorem is still used in the field today, although his own existence has come under scrutiny from historians over the years. Not a single piece of Pythagoras’ writing has survived into the 21st century. Many argue that the theory cannot have come from his pen, because it was uncommon for celestial spheres to be worked with during that time.
Pythagoras
Moses
As with many other biblical figures, outside the periphery of its own religion, it’s hard to provide concrete evidence that specific figures actually lived in the world today. As a result of the vague time frame presented by the bible, scientists have questioned whether someone like Moses actually existed. The parting of the red sea can be seen as an act of God, or as a naturally occurring force, depending on the person you are talking to.
Moses
Muhammad
It’s uncommon for anybody to question the existence of Muhammad, especially as he is often noted as one of the most prominent and successful religious figures in the history of the world. Some historians do lean into the idea that he may not have existed, mostly due to not having enough hard evidence to go by. As with all the religious leaders we’ve mentioned, there will always be differences of beliefs and opinions in a multicultural world, each of which holds fair value in their own right.
Muhammad
Carolyn Keene
Carolyn Keene is the writer behind the notoriously popular The Nancy Drew series, which sold millions around the world and is a beloved set of stories to this day. Fans have long wondered about Carolyn herself, and whether she existed at all. As it turns out, a group of ghostwriters had been hired to write the large series, which is often the case with popular book series to this day. Carolyn is a collection of different people, so her existence is a piece of fiction itself.
Carolyn Keene
Alan Smithee
If you grew up in the 60’s, you’ll definitely recall The Twilight Zone, one of the most popular television series in history. Each episode was directed by someone called Alan Smithee, and by the time it came to doing promotional interviews “he” was nowhere to be found. As it turns out, this was a collective name used for a group of directors who worked on making the series as good as it could possibly be.
Alan Smithee
Donald Kaufman
Here’s a fictional character that is 100% made up. In 2002’s hit film Adaptation, Nicholas Cage played Donald Kaufman, a character the audience is led to believe is the brother of someone called Charlie. Viewers were convinced that the screenwriter, Charlie, actually had a brother named Donald. As it turns out, Donald was completely made up, and thought up in a moment of quiet inspiration while working on the script. It’s starting to feel a little bit like Inception, over here.
Donald Kaufman
Jim Crow
Although popularised by wildly outdated and tone-deaf blackface theatre sketches many decades ago, today the term “Jim Crow” more commonly refers to laws that were once used to restrict the rights of Black Americans. The fictional character of Jim Crow was played by Thomas D. Rice, a caucasian actor who lived and worked in a time before the world had woken up to some of its self-created systemic racism. Thankfully, that is all starting to change as a result of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Jim Crow
Jane and John Doe
These two document figures are 100% fictional, but always refer to a person who was alive at some point. The terms “Jane Doe” and “John Doe” are code words for dead bodies that have been discovered by the authorities, but are unable to be identified. Sadly, Jane and John Doe’s are discovered every single day in the real world. These terms have been popularised thanks to the rise of crime shows on television, with multiple episodes of CSI using the terms freely across their various seasons.
Jane And John Doe
Betty Crocker
Americans will know and love Betty Crocker for her famous recipes, which were a big part of pre-technology boom life. A lot of women followed Betty’s lead when it came to how to take care of their households, only to discover that she wasn’t a real person after all. Betty was a fictional character created to inspire women to be better cooks. We’re sure there are feminist groups out there who have many questions about why this was ever “a thing”.
Betty Crocker
Alfred “Bulltop” Stormalong
American culture has a history of strong characters that traveled into households all over the world once television started to become a more popular feature among the middle class. Alfred is known as a Massachusetts-based hero that goes through many adventures, alongside growing to gigantic heights. He is also linked to many sailor folklore tales. Did he ever really exist? Nobody will be able to tell you for sure. At least he always exists in the hearts and minds of millions of people.
Alfred Bulltop Stormalong
James S.A. Corey
James S.A Corey might be a popular fiction writer, but anybody on the hunt to find a real-life person that goes by that name might run into a bit of trouble. Fans of the Star Wars book series will know that he doesn’t exist at all. As it turns out, James is a pen name for two writers collaborating on any new content for the series. Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck make for a mean writing duo, and have also worked on other popular projects together under the pseudonym.
James SA Corey
Jack Dawson
Who can forget Rose calling out for Jack while laying on a piece of rubble in the middle of the freezing ocean in Titanic. Jack Dawson made Leonardo DiCaprio very famous, and also led to millions of people believing that his story was one that actually happened on the real-life Titanic. A pure work of fiction, it’s often a shock to people that both he and Rose are not based on real people, but creations of brilliant writers who knew exactly what the audience would enjoy.
Jack Dawson
Sherlock Holmes
Because he is so commonly referenced in pop culture today, Sherlock Holmes is often mistaken for a real-life detective from years gone by. The beloved detective might have been based on a British surgeon called Joseph Bell, but as it turns out, he has never existed in real life. Author Arthur Conan Doyle, who brought the character to life, has never suggested that he was a historical figure, in spite of him becoming one thanks to his widespread popularity.
Sherlock Holmes
Zorro
The masked swordsman who crept into the hearts of millions of adoring fans thanks to his portrayal by Antonio Banderas on the silver screen has often been mistaken for a real life person. Although the character himself talks about the legend of Zorro being passed down from generation to generation, this is purely something that was created as part of the storyline. Zorro’s character is based on an 1800’s thief, but has no formal affiliation with a real person otherwise.
Zorro
Ichabod Crane
Ichabod Crane is an unforgettable character from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, originally published back in 1820. Made out to be an olden day hero, the character has crept into the hearts of millions of readers over the years. Unfortunately, he isn’t a real person at all. Although character sketches are notoriously detailed across the short stories in the book, Ichabod is purely fictional, and never truly existed in the same way we all do.
Ichabod Crane
Sybil Ludington
The American Revolution was a complex period in history, notable for the many acts of bravery and courage shown by everyday people. One such person was Sybil Ludington, who was believed to play a major role in the plight against British rule. Although many curious stories related to her have popped up over the years, a women’s organization recently revealed that it was all made up, and the heroism attached to her was simply not true.
Sybil Ludington
Ann Taylor
Walking down the street in London today, you’d be hard-pressed not to find someone sporting an Ann Taylor outfit, especially if they are from the older generation. Many fans of Ann have wondered whether she is never seen in marketing materials, in the same way Anna Wintour is for Vogue. As it turns out, she is a fictional creation, thought up by a man called Richard Liebeskind who set out on a mission to create a line for the fashion-forward British woman.
Ann Taylor
Uncle Ben
Although you might have thought of uncle Ben from Spiderman first, the “other” uncle Ben (the face behind one of the top U.S. food companies) is also a fictional creation. The man photographed as the great uncle is actually someone called Frank Brown, a restaurant manager. As he is a friend of the president of the food company, getting his name on the packaging was as simple as striking up a deal for his likeness to be used.
Uncle Ben
Juan Valdez
Good coffee is synonymous with Juan Valdez, a name that people assume to be associated with the high-end coffee brand he is affiliated with. As it turns out, Juan doesn’t exist at all, and is a mere figment of the imagination of Doyle Dane Bernbach. The name was used in order to refer to the origins of the coffee beans supplied by the company, which are grown and harvested in South America. There might be millions of real Juan’s in the world, but this one isn’t.
Juan Valdez
Piotr Żak
Back in the early 1960’s, the BBC broadcast a popular show that featured classical music to lovers of the genre. One of the most popular pieces that featured regularly on the show was composed by Piotr Żak from Poland. After years of it being played on the air, it was discovered that BBC producers Susan Bradshaw and Hans Keller had actually composed the piece all along, meaning that Piotr was simply a way for them to market and play the song without having to worry about a conflict of interest.
Piotr Zak
JT Leroy
Fictional memoirs can be confusing at times, especially if the character describing their “life story” comes across as wholly believable. This is the case with JT Leroy and the hit 90’s novel, The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things. Years later, people found out that he was a fictional creation from a woman called Laura Albert, who wrote as if she was Leroy the entire time. This was an easier way for her to get published at the time, so she took up the offer.
JT Leroy
Mavis Beacon
If you’re an older millennial, you’ll know all about Mavis Beacon and her typing skills program that often came pre-installed on computers back in the early 90’s. Mavis was likable, personable and a great teacher that helped people transition to the world of computers. As it turns out, she was an artificial lecturer created at the time. A pity, as fans often tried to write her fan mail, only for it to be returned with a friendly note to thank them for the gesture.
Mavis Beacon
Nat Tate
Nat Tate’s 1998 biography lot of press attention, mostly because it promised a story of perseverance and grit, especially to readers who lived an artistic life. Publicized as being written by William Boyd, a Scottish writer on the verge of hitting the big-time in the literary world, the launch drew big crowds, including David Bowie himself. As it turned out, the whole thing was a cover and an April fool’s joke. We’re sure Bowie had a right old laugh at the entire thing!
Nat Tate