March 04

William Price was born in 1800 in Wales and trained as a physician. He became active in the Chartist movement, advocating for electoral reform and social justice. Inspired by ancient druidic traditions, he established neo-Druid ceremonies and rituals in Britain. Price famously conducted the first legal cremation in the UK, challenging burial laws of his time. His unconventional lifestyle and radical beliefs made him a colorful figure in Victorian society. He combined medical practice with political activism and spiritual revivalism. Today, Price is remembered as a pioneer of cremation and a symbol of 19th-century dissent.

August Johann Gottfried Bielenstein was born in 1826 in Riga, then part of the Russian Empire. He studied theology and philology at the University of Dorpat (Tartu). Bielenstein devoted his career to the systematic study of Latvian language and folk traditions. He published comprehensive grammars and dictionaries that documented regional dialects. As an ethnographer, he recorded numerous customs, songs, and legends of rural communities. His work preserved Baltic cultural heritage during a period of rapid social change. He also served as a Lutheran pastor and educator until his death in 1907.

Owen Wynne Jones (March 4, 1828 – January 30, 1870) was a Welsh clergyman whose spiritual vocation complemented his literary pursuits. He served as an Anglican curate while composing poetry that drew deeply on Welsh traditions and the natural world. Jones published collections like 'Darlithau ac Ymarfer' and numerous short stories that resonated with rural communities. His work played a significant role in the 19th-century revival of Welsh language literature and cultural pride. Combining religious themes with lyrical expression, he created a unique voice within Welsh letters. His legacy endures through the continued study and appreciation of his poetic and narrative contributions.

Arthur Cushman McGiffert (March 4, 1861 – January 15, 1933) was a distinguished theologian and historian of early Christianity in the United States. He served as a professor at Union Theological Seminary and lectured extensively on church history. McGiffert authored seminal works such as 'History of Christianity in the Apostolic Age' and a multi-volume 'History of the Christian Church'. His research applied critical methods to patristic sources, influencing modern historical theology. He mentored future theologians and clergy, emphasizing scholarly rigor and historical insight. McGiffert's contributions continue to shape academic approaches to church history and theology.

William Henry Keeler was a prominent leader in the American Catholic Church. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1931, he was ordained a priest in 1956. He served in various diocesan roles before being appointed Archbishop of Baltimore in 1989. In 2001, Pope John Paul II elevated him to Cardinal, making him one of the senior church leaders in the United States. Keeler served as President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1995 to 1998, guiding the Church through significant challenges. He was known for his commitment to ecumenism and social justice initiatives. Upon his retirement in 2007, he continued pastoral work until his death in 2017.

Jean O'Leary (1948–2005) was an American nun who left her religious order to become a pioneering LGBTQ rights activist. She organized protests and lobbying campaigns throughout the 1970s and 1980s to challenge discrimination. As national coordinator of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, she helped expand visibility and political influence for lesbian issues. O'Leary co-founded the National Lesbian Feminist Action group to address both gender and sexual orientation equality. She spoke at conferences and authored articles that shaped early advocacy strategies. Her efforts contributed to the passage of local non-discrimination ordinances and laid groundwork for national protections. O'Leary's leadership inspired a generation of activists and advanced the broader civil rights movement. Her legacy continues to inform modern LGBTQ advocacy and legal reforms.