Do you ever base your characters off of historical figures?

I was studying for my American History exam and was struck with how AWESOME it would be if some friends and I all roleplayed the founding fathers of US. And a few characters based on Roman history (I claim Scipio Africanus! :D)

I mean, an Andrew Jackson character would be amazing. Imagine a thread between Andrew Jackson, the staunch grump, and John Adams, the one who values his honour over his reputation (and would do everything to prove that he's right).

I think that would be awesome.

Do you ever base the ideas you get for characters off people in the past? Do people's past actions or personalities inspire you?

Ick. Jackson? Really; he killed the Indians! John Adams would be fun though. I'd rather play Abigail Adams with her 'remember the women' (stupid John didn't listen...) Jeferson versus Hamilton would be amazing though!

I adore historical roleplays, although I've never actually done one with real historical figures.I'd love to join a site like this - probably especially an all-canon one.
I always have trouble finding good historical ones that are actually based in fact and not off some impression of historical fiction movies. I think a game like what you're discussing would have promise becuase it would naturally invite the research and ground information that other historical rps sometimes neglect to enforce the importance of.

I was on one board that has unfortunately gone defunct where I played a historical figure (though not as old as the 18th century). I probably had the hardest time writing it up, since I wanted to be respectful to the person but still create an interesting character. That's the most difficult time I ever had writing an application, but it was also a bit rewarding at the end. I made sure to put "Historically based, not historically accurate" at the beginning of it. I'm sad that board died, I wanted to play that character more, and there's really no where else I could.

I've played several historical characters in the past. One of my favorites was writing a convincing Winston Churchill. Now there was a rough write. Thomas Jefferson too.

I think it would be really interesting but a tad difficult to make sure to keep in character. If you made it historically accurate you may have a bit of an issue because not everyone keeps up with history. But if you had enough details and information it would probably work out.

It would be interesting to pick a time period and have different country historical figures. Like American, European, Japanese and so on. It would be a broader concept and include more people. Someone may not know American history but they may know Japanese history and etc.

Personally, I adore history -- all kinds as well. Ancient, World, Modern. You name it, I love it. So, a historical rp would interest me.

It is sad that there isn't more, by the way. :]

History is always fun and historical rpgs are even more fun. Even though I have previously had characters of mine in historical rps be in some way linked to historical figures, I've kept somewhat of a distance. I just think playing as an actual historical figure would be far too complicated, as was stated, it's hard to guess what the person would have really been like in different situations and to stay in character.
I think for now I wouldn't risk it lol

I did, on my French Revolution RP. I got to take bits of Robespierre's real speeches. 'Twas awesome. But you have to do your research. Still, people write historical fiction about real people; why not RP?

Unfortunately, most RPers are idiots and do not do adequate research, so as a board concept, straight historical is epic!FAIL.

Hmm, perhaps not roleplaying the person themselves, but rather, taking things from their personalities, persona, thoughts, and incorporating them into your own original character~

Sort of like making a Millard Fillmore vampire!

He could drink blood from a bathtub or something <__>;

But I agree, roleplaying a historical character themself (well, ones we have lots of records on) would be difficult to stay accurate.

I'd be too afraid of not characterizing the person well to create a historical figure character, but if you can pull it off, I admire you greatly.

Yup. Three of the characters I loved writing and playing were born out of historical figures. That really means a lot, a LOT of research, but it's worth it. A good way to learn more about the past, even when said past is not so glorious.

One was my gay vampire version of Jack the Ripper, his boy toy ended up being a vampire version of Billy the Kid and that just rocked. The Kid's player was a dear friend of mine and our rp styles simply clicked. It was art... in a macabre way. The other, was based on Lucretia Borgia. Actually, the vampire was Lucretia, living under a different alias on our days. Researching for her history was very nice. Another one was Dracula. Again, went through pages and pages of Vlad Tepes' life as a ruler, until the point he -- the character anyways -- was embraced.

Yes. StC is Napoleonic Wars-era, and most of the characters are British. As we have quite a few characters in the Peninsula (it's set in 1809)... we have someone playing the first Duke of Wellington, before he became the Duke.

And it's amazing. So far, he's the only historical character we've got, but there's room for more.

Inspiration perhaps, but I've never had the urge to play Caesar or Abe Lincoln or Mao. I won't say I'll never do it, but right now I've never really thought about it. I like making up my own peoples. :)

I don't do it, but there are three characters on AG that were real historical figures. George Jeffreys the Baron of Wem, Percy Kirke, and Hannah Snell/James Gray. All of them are played superbly. Especially the mun for Hannah Snell, since the line between good character and Mary Sue is very fine in that case, but the player handles it beautifully.

Characters based on historical figures can be excellent if they're handled properly, by people who are willing and able to do whatever research is required.

I'd love to participate in an historical roleplay in general, but I'd feel presumptuous roleplaying as an historical figure, just because I don't think I am witty/intelligent/devious/etc. enough to do any of them justice. It'd end up like "Elizabeth: The Golden Age". UCK! You take an amazing figure and put inadequate words into their mouth and that inadequacy becomes staggeringly obvious, I think. (Regardless of how talented the actress playing her is, I might add!)