April 10

Theodosius II ascended to the throne at the age of seven following his father's death. During his long reign, he oversaw the compilation of the Theodosian Code, which codified Roman law. He maintained a relatively stable Eastern Roman Empire through diplomatic relations with the Goths and Persians. Under his sister Pulcheria's influence, he supported the Council of Ephesus and shaped Christian doctrine. His reign saw the construction of the Theodosian Walls, which protected Constantinople for centuries. He died in 450 after over four decades of rule, leaving a lasting legal and architectural legacy.

Abu Ali Hasan, known as Nizam al-Mulk, served as grand vizier under sultans Alp Arslan and Malik Shah I. He founded the Nizamiyya schools, setting a model for higher education in the Islamic world. His treatise Siyasatnama provided guidance on governance, administration, and justice. He reorganized the administrative structure of the Seljuk state, strengthening its bureaucracy. His tenure contributed to a golden age of Seljuk culture and political stability. He was assassinated in 1092, but his educational and political reforms endured for centuries.

Margaret of York was born to King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville in April 1472. As their first child, she held the title of Princess of England but died just a few days after her birth. Her brief life occurred during the turbulent Wars of the Roses. Though she never had the chance to influence politics or culture, her birth and death were mourned by the royal family. Her early passing underscored the high infant mortality rates even among royalty in the 15th century.

Philibert II ascended as Duke of Savoy at age 17 following his father's death. He strengthened his duchy's position by marrying Margaret of Austria, niece of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. His diplomatic marriage fostered closer ties with the Habsburg dynasty. During his rule, he focused on internal administration and the defense of his Alpine territories. He died prematurely in 1504, leaving Savoy aligned with one of Europe's most powerful houses.

William I of Nassau-Siegen, also known as William the Rich, ruled his county from 1516. He managed his estates with skill, expanding his influence within the Holy Roman Empire. He married Juliana of Stolberg, and their offspring included William the Silent, leader of the Dutch Revolt. Under his guidance, the Nassau line laid the foundations for the future principality of Orange. His legacy endured through his descendants, who played pivotal roles in European and Dutch politics.

James V became king at age one after his father's death at Flodden and was crowned in 1528. He secured strong ties with France through two successive marriages to French princesses. A patron of the Scottish Renaissance, he supported poets, musicians, and architects. He faced ongoing conflicts with England, balancing alliances amid the European power struggle. His reign ended abruptly in 1542 when he died at Falkland Palace, leaving his infant daughter Mary as queen.

Augustus II, known as Augustus the Younger, became Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1635. He navigated his duchy through the turmoil of the Thirty Years' War, maintaining relative stability. He transformed Wolfenbüttel into a cultural hub by expanding the ducal library, later known as the Herzog August Library. A learned ruler, he promoted scholarship and employed prominent intellectuals at his court. His policies strengthened the administration and economy of his territories. He died in 1666, remembered as a patron of the arts and protector of his duchy.

Hugo Grotius was a child prodigy who entered the University of Leiden at age 11. He served as a diplomat for the Dutch Republic and defended its policies before foreign courts. His seminal work, 'De Jure Belli ac Pacis', laid the foundations of international law and natural rights. He argued for principles of just war, the freedom of the seas, and legal standards among nations. After escaping imprisonment, he spent his later years as Swedish ambassador in Paris. His ideas continue to influence modern legal and political thought.

Born to King Christian IV, Christian of Denmark was elected Prince of the Holy Roman Empire in 1616. He held the title 'Prince-Elect of Denmark' but never ascended to the throne. He administered the bishoprics of Verden and Osnabrück before resigning in 1627. He participated in diplomatic missions and was a potential candidate for the Polish-Lithuanian throne. His life was marked by scholarly interests and a dispute with his brother over power. He died in 1647, remembered as an ambitious royal who never ruled as king.

Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus studied medicine, mathematics, and natural philosophy at European universities. He investigated optics and developed powerful burning glasses capable of achieving high temperatures. His work in chemistry led to early experiments on hard-paste porcelain alongside Johann Friedrich Böttger. He introduced the Tschirnhaus transformation, a method to simplify algebraic equations. A member of the Royal Society and other learned academies, he published extensively on scientific topics. He died in 1708, leaving behind contributions that bridged multiple scientific disciplines.

Born in Ouanne, France, René Lepage de Sainte-Claire emigrated to New France in the late 17th century and acquired the seigneurie of Rimouski in 1694. He led the first permanent European settlement along the lower St. Lawrence River, overseeing land management and agricultural development. His leadership laid the foundation for the town's growth and the economic prosperity of the region. Lepage's descendants continued his work, shaping Rimouski into an important cultural and commercial center. He is remembered as a key figure in the colonization and early history of Quebec.

Born in 1704, Benjamin Heath became a respected classical scholar in England, producing authoritative editions of ancient texts. He published critical commentaries and bibliographical studies that contributed to the understanding of Greek and Latin literature. Heath corresponded with leading intellectuals of his time and participated in scholarly societies dedicated to classical learning. His meticulous research and editorial rigor influenced subsequent generations of scholars. Beyond his academic pursuits, he supported local educational initiatives and promoted the study of classical languages.