10. The Remarkable Mr. Williams

Roger Williams was one of the most brilliant, mysterious, complicated, and in the end admirable human beings in the history of our great nation. That having been said, he was a walking, talking bundle of contradictions - a fanatic who ultimately became one of our great humanitarians, a devout Christian who in time opened his mind and heart to other ethnicities and faiths, a man who was instrumental in creating a world - one of modest size, to be sure - the guiding principles of which were, very simply, decency and civility. In his life he set a standard which has inspired thoughtful, decent Americans ever since.