10 Biographies of Awesome Dads

Paul Kalanithi
Kalanthi’s tragic story—he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer at the age of 35, and passed away at 37—produced several amazing essays and the book When Breath Becomes Air, in which he frankly discusses mortality, his oncoming death, and his emotional reaction to it. One of his most remarkable decisions was to start a family after his diagnosis, and he ends one of his published essays with the following sentences (you might want to have a tissue in hand before reading): “When you come to one of the many moments in life when you must give an account of yourself … do not, I pray, discount that you filled a dying man’s days with a sated joy, a joy unknown to me in all my prior years, a joy that does not hunger for more and more, but rests, satisfied. In this time, right now, that is an enormous thing.”

Alexander Hamilton
As Hamilton enjoys a resurgence of fame and appreciation in America, including the recent decision to keep his portrait on the $10 bill, it’s a good time to remember that this man whose father abandoned him had a large family, fathering eight children, several of whom went on to serve at high levels and with great distinction in the American government and in private business, attesting to Hamilton’s positive influence. Hamilton was not, of course, perfect; a scandalous affair more or less ended his active political career, and his eldest son, Philip, died in an 1801 duel eerily similar to the one that would claim Hamilton’s life a few years later. Still, considering how much Hamilton accomplished in his public life, it’s amazing he had time to be a father—just one more testament to his remarkable abilities.

Charlemagne
When you’re the first Western Roman Emperor in about four centuries, you’re obviously not living by other people’s rules. Charlemagne fathered nearly two dozen children while building his empire, but he was an unusually doting father who actually ensured each of his children received a first-class education, even his daughters, which was pretty progressive in the 8th century. Not only that, he refused to allow his daughters to marry in order to avoid political complications, but sanctioned common law arrangements and welcomed their (officially illegitimate) children with open arms. He even refused to execute one son who led a rebellion against him—which again, is progressive for the 8th century.

William Jackson Smart
Smart isn’t the most famous Civil War figure, but his true legacy is the incredible affection his children had for him. That affection was so powerful that when his daughter, Sonora, heard about the newly-created Mother’s Day, her memories of her father inspired her to stump for the creation of an equal observance for fathers. Being the inspiration for Father’s Day is a pretty strong testimonial for your parenting skills, even if you did fight on the wrong side of the Civil War.

Charles Darwin
Darwin, one of the foremost minds of the 19th century, was an extraordinarily doting father who lavished attention and affection on his ten children. Only seven of the Darwins’ children survived to adulthood, but those seven went on to distinguished careers and contributions to the world on their own merits. As a man who studied the genetic lines and development of living things, Darwin always worried about the fact that his wife Emma was a distant cousin of his, and watched his children carefully for signs of abnormality, but happily none ever manifested.

Barack Obama
Whatever your politics, one thing you can’t deny: President Obama has raised two remarkable children. The poise and respect with which Malia and Sasha conduct themselves while under the white-hot microscope of White House politics can’t be an accident, and anyone watching the Obamas must walk away wishing their parents were as smart, as cool, and as clearly doting as they are. While Obama’s political legacy may take some time to clarify, his legacy as a great dad is already well-established.

Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas is a remarkable man, still going strong at 99 (he claims the title of “world’s oldest blogger”) despite suffering a debilitating stroke at the age of 80. He fathered four sons, and while his family has seen its share of tragedy, it’s also seen a lot of success both in front and behind the camera as the second generation of the Douglas Family has carved out an empire in film and television as actors, directors, and producers. The Douglas Sons’ clear affection for their father is a monument to one of Hollywood’s great dads.

Muhammad Ali
Ali remains one of the most famous athletes in history, as well as one of the most famous sufferers of Parkinson’s Disease. The father of nine children between four marriages, Ali was very clear in his opposition to any of his children following in his footsteps as a boxer as concern over their health and safety trumped any thoughts of an athletic dynasty. His daughter Laila, surprisingly, was the sole child to follow in his footsteps; Ali eventually relented in his disapproval and supported her career, and Laila retired as an undefeated super middleweight champion.

George H.W. Bush
There have been two father-son Presidents in U.S. History; the first pairing was John Adams (#2) and his son John Quincy Adams (#6), but while Adams was obviously an incredibly capable man he struggled all his life with an inability to inspire affection, even among his sons. Bush is the contrast: a very capable, talented man who rose to the most powerful position in the world and raised a family that obviously reveres him—and whatever you think of his politics, there’s no denying #41 is a great father.

Jay-Z
One thing to note about Beyonce’s album Lemonade and all the implications it seems to make about his fidelity as a husband: there are no implications about his qualities as a father. In fact, every bit of information we have about Jay-Z as a dad indicates he’s a loving, doting father. Of course, considering how adorable his daughter Blue Ivy happens to be, it’s impossible to imagine anyone being anything but doting—still, for a music mogul whose own public image is usually pretty dour and stoic, Jay-Z’s obvious love for his daughter is pretty heart-melting.
Dads are half of the equation for everyone in this world, after all, and these famous fathers demonstrate that while they might not be perfect, they got at least one thing right.