March 10

Born in 1452, Ferdinand II succeeded to the throne of Aragon and, through his marriage to Isabella I, became King of Castile and León. Together the Catholic Monarchs completed the Reconquista by capturing Granada in 1492, ending centuries of Moorish rule. They established the Spanish Inquisition, consolidating religious unity and royal authority. Ferdinand sponsored Christopher Columbus's voyage that same year, inaugurating Spain's overseas expansion. He skillfully used dynastic alliances to strengthen Habsburg influence across Europe. His reign marked the foundation of the Spanish Empire and transformed Spain into a leading global power.

Born in 1503, Ferdinand I was the younger brother of Emperor Charles V and a key member of the Habsburg dynasty. He became Archduke of Austria, King of Bohemia, and Hungary before succeeding as Holy Roman Emperor in 1558. His pragmatic governance focused on religious peace, culminating in the Peace of Augsburg in 1555 prior to his reign. As Emperor, he managed Protestant-Catholic tensions and defended the empire's eastern frontiers against Ottoman advances. He reorganized imperial institutions and promoted administrative reforms to centralize Habsburg authority. Ferdinand's reign laid groundwork for Habsburg dominance in central Europe until his death in 1564.

Born in 1536, Thomas Howard inherited the title of 4th Duke of Norfolk and became the premier duke of England. As Earl Marshal, he oversaw state ceremonies and played a central role in court politics under Elizabeth I. He led military expeditions in Scotland and defended the northern borders of England. Howard became entangled in the Ridolfi Plot, a conspiracy to marry Mary, Queen of Scots, and overthrow Elizabeth I. Accused of treason, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London and executed in 1572. His dramatic fall from grace exemplified the dangerous intrigues of Tudor politics.

Born in 1596, Maria Elizabeth was the daughter of King Charles IX of Sweden and Queen Christina of Holstein-Gottorp. She grew up at the Swedish court during a period of dynastic conflicts and the Kalmar War. Though she did not play an active political role, her position strengthened dynastic ties in Scandinavia. Her early death in 1618 at the age of 22 cut short any potential marital alliances that might have shaped regional politics. She is commemorated for her piety and the cultural life she supported at the royal court.

Born in 1604 in Germany, Glauber studied pharmacy and became an influential alchemist. He is best known for discovering sodium sulfate, known as Glauber's salt, and promoting its use as a purgative. Glauber authored prolific works on chemical processes, distillation, and the preparation of acids and salts. He established chemical manufactories in Amsterdam and explored industrial applications of his discoveries. His writings bridged medieval alchemy and emerging scientific chemistry, influencing later chemists. Glauber's contributions helped lay the groundwork for systematic chemical experimentation.

Born in 1628, François Girardon became one of Louis XIV's principal sculptors. He studied in Rome before returning to France, where he joined the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. Girardon created iconic works for the Palace of Versailles, including fountain figures and heroic statues. His style blended classical restraint with Baroque dynamism, influencing French sculpture for generations. He also served as director of the academy and trained many prominent students. Girardon's art embodies the grandeur of the Sun King's reign and the height of French classical sculpture.

Born in 1628, Malpighi pioneered the use of the microscope in medicine and biology. He discovered capillaries, bridging the gap between arteries and veins, confirming William Harvey's theories. Malpighi identified the Malpighian bodies in the kidney and spleen and studied insect anatomy. As professor at the University of Pisa and later Naples, he trained a generation of naturalists. His publications on plant and animal tissues laid the foundations for modern histology. Malpighi's work profoundly advanced understanding of human physiology and comparative anatomy.

Born in 1653, John Benbow embarked on a naval career that earned him a reputation for courage and tenacity. He fought in the Anglo-Dutch Wars and later commanded squadrons against French forces in the Caribbean. As Admiral of the Blue, he led daring assaults despite limited resources and challenging conditions. In 1702, he sustained fatal wounds during an engagement off the coast of Cuba and died shortly after. Benbow's leadership and personal bravery made him a celebrated figure in naval lore. His legacy endures in the Royal Navy through numerous ships named HMS Benbow.

Born in Palermo in 1656, Giacomo Serpotta became a master of stucco art during the Rococo period. He created elaborate reliefs and cherubic figures in oratories, palaces, and churches across Sicily. His works in the Oratory of San Lorenzo and the Oratory of Rosario are celebrated for their fluidity and expression. Serpotta's innovative use of stucco transformed baroque interiors into dynamic, theatrical spaces. He trained a local school of artists, spreading his techniques throughout the region. Serpotta's artistry remains a highlight of Sicilian cultural heritage.

Born in 1709, Steller joined Vitus Bering's Kamchatka expedition as a botanist and zoologist. He explored the Aleutian Islands and Alaska, recording flora, fauna, and indigenous cultures. Steller discovered several new species, including Steller's sea cow and Steller's jay. His detailed observations laid foundations for ecology and natural history in the North Pacific. Despite suffering from scurvy and harsh conditions, he produced extensive journals and scientific accounts. Steller's pioneering work earned him recognition as a key figure in early exploration and natural science.

Lorenzo Da Ponte was born in Ceneda, Italy, in 1749. He served as a Catholic priest and gained fame as Mozart's librettist, penning the texts for iconic operas such as Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Così fan tutte. After a scandal forced him to flee Europe, Da Ponte emigrated to New York City in 1805 and became America's first professor of Italian literature at Columbia College. He helped found New York City's first opera company and published translations and original poetry that promoted Italian culture in the young nation. Bridging the worlds of religion, literature, and music, Da Ponte left a lasting impact on both European opera and American cultural life. He died in New York City in 1838.

Joseph Williamson was born in 1769 and became a successful tobacco merchant in Liverpool. In the early 19th century, he initiated the creation of an extensive network of underground tunnels beneath Edge Hill to offer employment and relief to local laborers during economic hardship. Williamson's philanthropic efforts extended to various charitable causes aimed at improving living conditions in Liverpool. The true purpose behind the tunnels remains a topic of curiosity, but they stand as a testament to Williamson's social vision and generosity. He died in 1840, leaving behind a unique legacy in the history of urban philanthropy and industrial heritage.