My favourite person from the past would have to be Leonardo da Vinci. He was/is the one who painted the Mona Lisa, for those of you whom don't know his work.
He was born and raised in Florence, Italy, back in the Renaissance days. (Which happens to be one of my favourite periods of time. :3 )
One of his quotes I just adore the most is "Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master."
Leonardo just adored learning, and doing everything. He didn't just want to sick to one thing, he did, and was amazing at virtually everything. It is for that reason I admire him.
I too also admire Emilie du Châtele for her amazing works in mathematics. Her and Einstein are up there in my top historians of all time. :3
-Fluttershy :3
(Sorry for the rambling!)