Which activists, philanthropists, revolutionaries, and/or theorists inspired you to become a socialist? Although Marxists diligently attack the "greatest man" theory for simplifying social relationships and overlooking mass activism, I think it's safe to say people look up at other individuals for inspiration based on their material situations and occurrences.
For me, actually reading Karl Marx created a small flame of interest in socialism. Up until that point I had based my opinions of Marx based solely on what I was told. I thought of Marx as a cruel idealist who aspired to create a perfect society with blood. When I finally got down to reading his personal letters and the Communist Manifesto, I almost immediately realized my judgments were misplaced. I was especially impressed to find out that Marx went through his own periods of self-criticism, and that he actively campaigned against chattel slavery - going so far as to organize a boycott against "slave cotton."
It was also surprising to learn that Martin Luther King Jr. adopted the label of socialist during the later part of his life. I hadn't really considered King's politics outside of racial equality and opposition to the Vietnam War.
Probably the one socialist I am most attracted towards is Eugene Debs. The man appears in his own words very utopian, but his admission of probable defeat in every election cycle indicates a person based in reality. Eugene Debs is also said to have been a very humble and inspirational men, rejecting the title of "labor leader" and instead urging all working people to see that there is no "Moses" which will liberate them. Debs has probably some of the best quotes I've ever ran across, including: "I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world;" Now my friends, I am opposed to the system of society in which we live today, not because I lack the natural equipment to do for myself but because I am not satisfied to make myself comfortable knowing that there are thousands of my fellow men who suffer for the barest necessities of life. We were taught under the old ethic that man's business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle;" I am not a labor leader. I don't want you to follow me or anyone else. If you are looking for a Moses to lead you out of the capitalist wilderness you will stay right where you are. I would not lead you into this promised land if I could, because if I could lead you in, someone else could lead you out.
Some other socialists I draw inspiration from include: Gandhi, Tolstoy, Orwell, Einstein, Chomsky, Lenin, Trotsky, Kotuko Shusui, and Peter Kropotkin.ui,
and Joseph Stalin (Иосеф Сталин