"From military leaders to literary icons, it has made its mark throughout history. General Ulysses S. Grant, with his distinguished beard, commanded respect amid the chaos of The American Civil War. Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, exuded regal charm with his well-groomed mustache. Even renowned psychologist Sigmund Freud sported a signature beard in his sepia-toned photograph from 1921, adding an air of wisdom to his visage. As Frederick Warne and Co. 's A Book of Nonsense playfully suggests, beards have long been a source of fascination - "There was an old man with a beard who said, It is just as I feared. " In Jerusalem's Middle East landscape, an Egyptian Orthodox Coptic priest proudly displays his cross alongside his neatly trimmed facial hair – a symbol of both faith and tradition. Charles Devens' portrait captures the dignified presence that accompanied the impressive beard he wore before 1891. Artistic genius Vincent van Gogh immortalized himself in oil on canvas through a self-portrait showcasing not only his troubled soul but also the intensity emanating from beneath his fiery red beard. W Somerset Maugham and George Bernard Shaw embraced their own unique styles while leaving their literary legacies. Musician Jeff Lynne rocked both melodies and facial hair as frontman for The Electric Light Orchestra – proving that creativity knows no bounds when it comes to grooming choices. Actor Oliver Reed faced the decision between keeping or shaving off his iconic beard – ultimately revealing how personal style can shape one's identity. Lastly, Che Guevara's iconic image became synonymous with revolution and rebellion; yet behind that powerful gaze lay a rugged face adorned by an untamed mane.