- Chitragupta – According to Hindu mythology he keeps a record of all deeds – good and bad and their balance decides whether we go to heaven or hell.
- Sir Isaac Newton – In later life, he was master of Royal Mint for 30 years. He oversaw the Great Coinage of 1696 when counterfeit currency was rife. It is said he was an honest man when corruption in public life was widespread. He lost a fortune in South Sea Company Bubble. He is also credited, perhaps mistakenly, for moving England from bimetallic system to Gold Standard. Seeing England prosper other countries adopted Gold Standard. There is a fascinating BBC radio play about his time in Royal Mint.
- Daniel Defoe writer, most famous for Robinson Crusoe. A trader, journalist and spy. And sometime resident of New Gate prison. I made some changes in my own business reading his book `The Complete English Tradesman. Another absorbing BBC Radio Play.
- John D. Rockefeller richest man in recent American history started out as bookkeeper. Unfortunately, his nemesis Ida Tarbell was not.
- Medici bank – were early adopters of double entry.
- East India Company was formed by Auditor Smythe [Smith]. Accountants Robert Clive and Warren Hastings, were the persons who laid the foundation of British Raj in the Indian subcontinent.
I will try and improve this list as I meet other characters on my accounting journey.
Bonus
- Jesus was born in Bethlehem when Mary and Joseph visited it for paying their taxes.
Luke 2:1-8.
Roy Accountants 