March 09

Born in Balkh in 787, Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi was one of the most influential astrologers of the Islamic Golden Age. He served at the Abbasid court in Baghdad and authored numerous treatises on astrology, astronomy, and philosophy. His work, particularly the Kitāb al-Madkhal al-Kabīr, was translated into Latin and deeply influenced medieval European thought. He integrated Greek philosophical concepts with Islamic traditions, laying foundations for later scholars. He died in 886, leaving a legacy that bridged cultures and disciplines.

Sverre Sigurdsson was a Norwegian king born around 1151, who led the Birkebeiner faction to victory in the civil wars of Norway. After claiming the throne in 1184, he reformed the kingdom’s administration and established the House of Sverre. His reign was marked by military campaigns against rival factions and efforts to centralize royal authority. He negotiated peace and alliances with neighboring kingdoms and the Church, securing Norway’s position in Scandinavia. Sverre died in 1202, but his dynasty ruled Norway for two more generations, shaping its medieval history.

Born in 1384 to a patrician family in Rome, Frances of Rome displayed deep piety from a young age. She founded the Oblates of Mary in 1425, a religious community dedicated to serving the poor and sick. Frances was known for her acts of charity, humility, and mystical experiences, often fasting and praying for others. During a plague outbreak, she risked her life caring for victims, earning her enduring reputation for compassion. She died in 1440 and was canonized by Pope Paul V in 1608, leaving a model of devotion and service.

Leonardo Bruni, born around 1370 in Arezzo, became one of the leading figures of the early Renaissance humanist movement. He studied under Coluccio Salutati and translated many classical texts, including works by Aristotle and Plato, into Latin. As chancellor of Florence, Bruni promoted civic humanism and supported the revival of classical learning. His 'History of the Florentine People' is considered the first modern historical narrative due to its critical approach to sources. Bruni’s writings on republicanism and virtue had a lasting impact on Renaissance thought and politics. He died in 1444, leaving a rich legacy of scholarship and civic engagement.

Catherine of Bologna, born Caterina de’ Vigri in 1413 in Bologna, joined the Poor Clares at Ferrara in 1431. She became renowned for her skill in painting and illuminating manuscripts, often decorating spiritual texts with vivid miniatures. Catherine authored 'The Nine Rungs of the Ladder of Perfection', a guide to mystical prayer and contemplation. She was celebrated for her humility, charity, and reported visions of Christ, drawing others to her example of devout life. After her death in 1463, Catherine’s shrine in Bologna became a pilgrimage site, and she was canonized in 1712 by Pope Clement XI.

Born in Piedmont in 1533, David Rizzio moved to Scotland and became private secretary and chamberlain to Mary, Queen of Scots. His close relationship with the queen and influence at court provoked jealousy among Scottish nobles. On March 9, 1566, Rizzio was brutally murdered in Holyrood Palace in a conspiracy led by Lord Darnley and other nobles. His death intensified political turmoil and contributed to Mary’s eventual downfall. Rizzio’s story remains a dramatic example of court intrigue during the Renaissance.

James Hamilton, born in 1606, inherited the title of Earl of Arran and later became the 1st Duke of Hamilton in 1643. As a soldier, he commanded Royalist forces in Scotland and allied with King Charles I against Parliamentarian armies. Hamilton’s defeat at the Battle of Preston led to his capture by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. He was tried and executed for treason in 1649, one of the last nobles to be put to death after the Civil Wars. His leadership and death marked a significant chapter in the struggle between monarchy and Parliament in 17th-century Britain.

Born in 1590, Henry Rich was the younger son of the 1st Earl of Warwick and became a favorite of King Charles I. He demonstrated military skill in the French Wars of Religion before returning to England and being created Earl of Holland in 1624. Initially a supporter of Parliament, Rich later defected to the Royalist side, reflecting the era’s complex allegiances. Captured at St Neots in 1648, he was executed by Parliament in 1649. His life illustrates the personal and political conflicts that defined the English Civil Wars.

Giulio Mazzarino, known as Cardinal Mazarin, was born in Pescina in 1602 and rose through the ecclesiastical ranks in Rome. In 1642 he succeeded Cardinal Richelieu as France’s chief minister under King Louis XIV and Queen Regent Anne of Austria. Mazarin guided France through the final years of the Thirty Years’ War and negotiated the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. He centralized royal authority, suppressed internal revolts, and laid the groundwork for French absolutism. A patron of the arts, Mazarin amassed a significant collection of paintings and books. He died in Paris in 1661, leaving a legacy as a shrewd diplomat and architect of France’s political ascendancy.

Ralph Montagu, born in 1638, began his career as a courtier under King Charles II, serving in the diplomatic service in France. His loyalty to the crown and diplomatic successes led to his creation as Earl and later 1st Duke of Montagu. Montagu held several high offices, including Lord Chamberlain, and was known for his patronage of the arts and lavish court entertainments. He played a key role in strengthening Anglo-French relations during his ambassadorship. Montagu died in 1709, and his titles and estates passed to his descendants, who continued his political legacy.

Joseph Bonomi the Elder was an Italian architect born in 1739 in Rome. He trained in Italy before moving to England, where he established himself as a prominent designer of country houses and public buildings. His work is distinguished by its adherence to neoclassical principles and its careful proportion and detail. Bonomi collaborated with leading patrons of his time, producing engravings and plans that helped disseminate neoclassical style across Britain. He also served as a draughtsman and surveyor, contributing to several major projects in London and the provinces. His legacy includes a series of influential architectural publications and a lasting impact on British architecture. Bonomi died in London on March 9, 1808.

Ozias Humphry was born in 1742 in Honiton, Devon. He gained fame as a portrait painter, specializing in miniature paintings and oils. His works captured refined likenesses of key figures in British society, including members of the royal family and leading intellectuals. In 1778 he was elected as an Associate of the Royal Academy, becoming a full Academician in 1791. Humphry's style is noted for its delicate brushwork and subtle color palette. Later in life he suffered from deteriorating eyesight but continued to teach and influence a generation of artists. He died in Bath on March 9, 1810, leaving behind a legacy of portraits that remain celebrated in museums and private collections.