February 26

Born in Chambéry in 1753 into a noble Savoyard family. He served as a diplomat for the Kingdom of Sardinia, representing his country in Russia. A staunch critic of the French Revolution, de Maistre argued for the divine right of kings and the importance of tradition. His works, including 'Considerations on France' and 'St. Petersburg Dialogues', shaped post-revolutionary conservative thought. He advocated strong religious authority as the foundation of social order. His writings influenced 19th-century political theory and counter-revolutionary movements. He died in Turin in 1821, leaving a lasting legacy in political philosophy.

Mary Whiton Calkins was the first woman to complete the Harvard psychology curriculum, though she was denied a Ph.D. by the university's male-only policy. She developed the paired-associates technique, a cornerstone method in memory research that remains influential today. In 1905, she became the first female president of both the American Psychological Association and the American Philosophical Association. Her work in self-psychology explored the nature of the self and its role in human cognition. Calkins advocated for women's rights in academia, leaving a lasting impact on psychology and philosophy.

Karl Jaspers was born in 1883 in Oldenburg, Germany, and trained as a psychiatrist before turning to philosophical inquiry. He became a leading figure in existentialism, introducing concepts like the "limit situation" and "Existenz" to explore human freedom. His major works, including Philosophy of Existence and The Origin and Goal of History, bridged clinical psychology and metaphysical questions. Jaspers held professorships at Heidelberg and Basel, mentoring generations of thinkers across Europe and North America. His interdisciplinary approach influenced not only philosophy but also theology, psychiatry, and political theory. His legacy continues to shape discussions on human authenticity and the nature of being.