The 20 "Ugliest" Historical Figures

Ancient authors often described Socrates as particularly ugly. This reputation stemmed from various physical features—such as his hooked nose, bulging eyes, thick lips, and stocky build—all of which ran counter to Greek ideals of beauty. He was also regularly compared to the attractive young Athenians, and even the most favorable accounts acknowledged that he resembled a satyr more than a philosopher.

One might think that no one would dare to mock an emperor, but in Rome, the people did not hesitate to mock Claudius. It was not because of his clumsy movements or his trembling head. Nor was it because of his wobbly knees or his hesitant speech. It didn’t matter: all of this made him appear physically unimpressive in the eyes of the imperial court. Even his own family treated him as a source of embarrassment.

Richard III’s physical appearance became a formidable weapon against him, especially after his death; the most hostile accounts placed particular emphasis on his frail build, his asymmetrical shoulders, and his alleged deformity. Time has not helped matters either, and later writers have turned these traits into evidence of his wickedness.

You know what’s funny? The young Henry VIII actually exuded a kind of athletic presence. But later in life? He became a corpulent man, ravaged by an ulcer, whom it was difficult to admire with the chivalrous nobility of yesteryear. Foreign ambassadors constantly made remarks about his corpulence—and about the contrast between the dazzling prince he had once been and the bloated monarch he had become. 

People often noted the harshness of Cromwell’s features, and this generally stern expression did not flatter him. He is notably said to have demanded to be painted “with all his flaws and everything,” which only reinforced the impression that his appearance was, at best, unremarkable and, at worst, austere. 

A name like Peter the Great? Check. An extraordinary stature? Check. Escaping the public eye? No way. Observers noted a somewhat unsettling physical presence, and while some of his contemporaries admired his energy, others found him awkward and unsettling.

George III was not universally described as “ugly,” but many accounts portray him as a stiff, charmless man who lacked the commanding presence that made monarchs so charismatic. His appearance also drew criticism, especially as illness took its toll and affected his behavior toward the end of his life. 

First his height, and now this? (Not to mention those famous rabbits.) Napoleon’s reputation for power far exceeded his physical charisma; many who met him described him as a man with a sallow complexion, tense, and far less impressive in person. That is why he had to cultivate his image with great care.

Lincoln was often described as a man without charm, lanky and awkward-looking—traits that did not conform to the standards of 19th-century politics. His enemies bluntly called him ugly, and even his admirers often acknowledged that he was far from handsome. 

Grant was not, however, considered grotesque, but he was seen as an ordinary man who was physically unremarkable. His weary face and unpretentious manner gave him little visual appeal in an era that adored heroic displays; and while this did not earn him the label of “ugly,” it certainly prevented him from fitting the ideal that others admired.

Many depictions of Bismarck emphasized his massive, stern face, which seemed far more intimidating than anything else. His imposing stature, not to mention his formidable presence, gave him a domineering air in person—which wasn’t exactly synonymous with elegance either. 

William II’s atrophied arm was a source of insecurity for him throughout his life, and his efforts to compensate for this disability influenced virtually every aspect of his existence. But that was not his only weakness. His detractors also found him stiff and awkward in his movements, particularly because he seemed to be desperately trying to appear self-assured.

Rasputin was both fascinating and repulsive, but today he is clearly on one side of the fence. His tousled hair, piercing gaze, and generally unsettling presence have given rise to numerous descriptions that emphasized his wild appearance. 

Marguerite of Anjou was often described in unflattering terms by her enemies, and much of this criticism blended political considerations with remarks about her physical appearance. Hostile chroniclers did not exactly portray her as a graceful or charming woman, often depicting her as lacking in gentleness. 

Mary I was not known for her beauty, and many descriptions of her appearance emphasized her gaunt face and weary look, especially toward the end of her reign. Foreign ambassadors often spoke of her in unflattering terms, noting that she looked older than her age and lacked the grace expected of a queen. 

Churchill’s fame was never based on his good looks. And that’s just as well, because he often looked disheveled, a fact that people commented on with a mixture of affection and candor. That said, his case is an interesting one: his appearance could easily have held him back, but these supposedly unattractive features actually helped forge his legend.

De Gaulle’s long face and prominent nose, for which he was famous, made him a frequent target of ridicule. Everyone, from political cartoonists to critics, mercilessly mocked these features, using his appearance as a subject to exaggerate for comic effect. 

Anne of Cleves has become one of the most famous examples illustrating the influence of physical appearance on a royal marriage, mainly because Henry VIII was reportedly disappointed when he met her in person. Although the harshest criticisms of her appearance were motivated by political considerations and Henry’s personal interests, her contemporaries nevertheless described her as lacking the beauty and charm expected of a queen consort. 

Queen Anne was often the subject of harsh criticism for various reasons: her chronic illness, her weight gain, and the visible stresses of her life. She was frequently perceived as having lost her physical radiance and lacking charm, but these judgments only served to shape the way her contemporaries wrote about her and the way subsequent generations portrayed her.