A scientist, artist, politician.... philosopher? Who would you be excited to meet?
Susan B. Anthony or B.F. Skinner
If I had the opportunity to choose any historical person I could meet and talk with is Nikola Tesla. The man was a mega genius, he constructed a remote controlled boat to show at I believe one of the World Fairs. And this was before people even had electricity in their homes, people thought he was either magic or had a midget inside the small boat that was steering it.
Does it have to be real or fictional (like Jesus)??
This seems like it shouldn't be such a hard question, but it's really tough for me to think of someone I'd genuinely want to meet. There are influential people throughout history who did great things, but I'm unsure it would be a good experience to have a conversation with them. And for me that has to be part of the equation, because merely meeting them doesn't do anything for me. I'd want to enjoy their wit or learn something from them, and I'd want it to be a fun exchange in some capacity.
So, here's my short list:
I can't tell you how many times I hear about some new discovery and long with all my might to have a converation with Carl Sagan about it. How he would love what we've learned since his death.