January 26

Born in 183 in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Entered Cao Cao's household and later became the wife of his son Cao Pi. Highly admired for her beauty, intelligence, and virtue. Her influence at court grew as Cao Pi ascended to emperor of Wei. Fell victim to court intrigue leading to her forced removal and early death in 221. Her tragic story has inspired countless works of literature, opera, and film.

Born into a humanist family in 1541 in Orléans, France. Distinguished himself as a poet and translator at the court of Catherine de' Medici. Translated classical works from Greek and Latin, including Epictetus and Lucian. His satirical poetry and elegant style earned him recognition among Renaissance scholars. Served as tutor to the future King Henry III of France. Published collections of epigrams and odes that influenced later French literature.

German Lutheran theologian born in 1549 in Breslau (now Wrocław, Poland). Known for his hymns, including the enduring hymn 'Set me as a seal upon thy heart.' Served as a pastor and professor at various universities, preaching across Silesia. Founded schools and promoted religious education reform. His writings blended academic theology with pastoral care. Passed away in 1614; his hymns remain part of Protestant worship traditions.

Italian Baroque painter born in Parma in 1582. Trained under Annibale Carracci and developed a dynamic, dramatic style. Renowned for his illusionistic ceiling frescoes in churches across Rome. Major works include the dome of Sant'Andrea della Valle and frescoes at San Carlo ai Catinari. His bold use of perspective influenced later generations of Baroque artists. Died in 1647; Lanfranco's works continue to be celebrated for their energy and drama.

Born in London in 1657, William Wake was educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford. Ordained in the Church of England, he served as Bishop of Lincoln and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1716. Guided the Anglican Church through a period of political change under King George I and II. Advocated for church unity and opposed emerging dissenting movements. Patron of educational initiatives and promoter of ecclesiastical scholarship. Passed away in 1737, remembered for his learned approach and pastoral leadership.

Born in Paris in 1714, Pigalle displayed exceptional talent in sculpture from an early age. Studied at the Royal Academy and won acclaim for his neoclassical busts and statues. Notable works include the statue of Voltaire and the monument to Marshal Maurice de Saxe. Served as a professor at the École de dessin, influencing a generation of French sculptors. Blended Rococo elegance with classical restraint in his expressive figures. Died in 1785; Pigalle's works remain central to collections of eighteenth-century French art.

French Enlightenment philosopher born in Paris in 1715. Authored 'De l'Esprit,' proposing that human behavior is driven by pleasure and pain. Advocated for rational education, social reform, and the pursuit of the common good. His ideas sparked controversy and censorship, leading to the temporary banning of his work. Friend to prominent thinkers like Diderot and Condillac. Died in 1771; his utilitarian ideas influenced later ethical and political theory.

Born George Sackville in 1716 into an English noble family. Distinguished himself as a general in the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. After a court-martial for his conduct at the Battle of Minden, he entered politics. Appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. His policies and leadership deeply impacted British strategy in North America. Created 1st Viscount Sackville, he died in 1785 leaving a complex legacy of military and political service.

Born in Edinburgh in 1722, Carlyle was educated at the University of Edinburgh. Ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland and a leading figure among the Moderate Party. Friend and collaborator of Enlightenment thinkers such as Adam Smith. Authored influential memoirs and essays on Scottish religious and social life. Advocated for religious tolerance and rational theology. Died in 1805, his writings provide key insights into the Scottish Enlightenment.

Born Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte in Pau, France, in 1763. Rose to prominence as a Marshal of France under Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1810 elected heir to the Swedish throne and adopted the name Charles John. Became King Charles XIV John of Sweden and Charles III John of Norway in 1818. Founded the Bernadotte dynasty which still reigns in Sweden. Died in 1844, remembered for modernizing Sweden and forging stability after the Napoleonic Wars.

Ludwig Achim von Arnim was a leading figure in the German Romantic movement. He collaborated with Clemens Brentano to publish the folk poetry collection 'Des Knaben Wunderhorn'. His own works include novellas such as 'Die Kronenwächter', which blend folklore and poetic imagination. Arnim also published travel diaries that capture the spirit of European Romanticism. His writings emphasized nature, emotion, and folkloric themes, influencing later generations of poets. Despite a relatively short life, his contributions helped shape German literature in the 19th century.

Juan Pablo Duarte was one of the principal founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. A visionary philosopher and poet, he led the movement for independence from Haitian rule in the mid-19th century. Duarte co-founded the secret society La Trinitaria to unite patriots for the cause of freedom. He championed democratic ideas and national identity, writing poems and essays that inspired his compatriots. Though he spent much of his life in exile, his ideas laid the groundwork for the modern Dominican state. Today, he is celebrated as a national hero and symbol of Dominican independence.