A look at the reigns of the some of the world's most notorious dictators and despots begins with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (1942-2011), who ruled for more than four decades before he was captured and killed during the Libyan Civil War.

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) rises through the Socialist ranks to become Italy's fascist dictator and Hitler's ally during World War II.

A profile of Hideki Tojo (1884-1948), a Japanese general and prime minister during World War II who was sentenced to death and executed in 1948 for committing war crimes.

A profile of Saddam Hussein (1937-2006), the ruthless Iraqi dictator who was captured in 2003 following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and executed in 2006.

A profile of Kim Jong Il, the supreme leader of North Korea from 1994 to 2011.

A profile of Adolf Hitler examines his childhood and difficult relationship with his father.

A profile of Osama bin Laden (1957-2011), who was born into a wealthy family in Saudi Arabia but became the leader of Al Qaeda.

A profile of Mao Tse-tung (1893-1976), who ruled Communist China for nearly three decades.

A profile of Joseph Stalin (1878-1953), the Soviet tyrant who ruled for 29 years and was responsible for some 20 million deaths.

A profile of François Duvalier (1907-1971), who ruled Haiti from 1957 to 1971 and declared himself president for life in 1964.