February 26

Anthony Ashley-Cooper was born in 1671 and succeeded as the 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury. He became a leading thinker of the early Enlightenment, writing on ethics, aesthetics, and political philosophy. His work Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times influenced liberal thought and the development of moral sense theory. Shaftesbury also held seats in Parliament and engaged in debates on religious tolerance and constitutional government. His blend of philosophical insight and practical statesmanship shaped the intellectual climate of 18th-century Britain. He died in 1713, leaving a legacy that bridged Restoration politics and Enlightenment ideals.

Anders Chydenius was a Finnish economist, philosopher and Lutheran priest who championed freedom of trade and civil liberties. Born in 1729, he served as a parish priest while writing influential works on political economy and natural rights. His 1765 pamphlet 'The National Gain' argued for free enterprise, press freedom and government accountability. Chydenius's ideas anticipated classical liberalism and influenced later European economic thought. He actively participated in Swedish Diets, advocating reforms that laid groundwork for modern welfare states. He died in 1803, leaving a legacy as the 'Adam Smith of the North'.