April 27

Born in 85 BC into a patrician Roman family, he served as a trusted lieutenant under Julius Caesar and was appointed governor of Cisalpine Gaul. Despite his loyalty, he joined the conspiracy that led to Caesar's assassination in 44 BC and became one of the Liberators. He commanded forces in Gaul and resisted Mark Antony’s supporters, fighting at Mutina and later at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. After the Liberators’ defeat, he fled to the provinces, where he was ultimately betrayed and killed in 43 BC. His actions influenced the final collapse of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He remains a controversial figure, remembered both for his military skill and his role in the murder of Caesar.

Born in 1468 as the youngest son of King Casimir IV Jagiellon, Frederick was ordained a priest at an early age and rose swiftly within the church. He was appointed Archbishop of Gniezno in 1484 and became the first Primate of Poland in 1493, holding great political influence. Created cardinal by Pope Alexander VI, he often served as interrex between monarchs and played a key role in royal elections. Frederick supported Renaissance humanism and patronized cultural and educational initiatives throughout Poland. Until his death in 1503, he balanced religious duties with statecraft, shaping the Polish church and monarchy.

Born in 1564 at Petworth House in Sussex, Henry Percy inherited the earldom and vast estates as a young man. A patron of mathematics, astronomy, and alchemy, he studied alongside prominent scholars and amassed a notable library. He served in the House of Lords and held regional offices, including Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland. Despite his loyalty to King James I, he was imprisoned for 16 years after being suspected—though never proven—to have foreknowledge of the Gunpowder Plot. Released in 1621, he spent his remaining years focusing on his intellectual pursuits until his death in 1632.

Born in 1556 into a prominent Parisian family, François Béroalde de Verville became one of the leading intellectuals of late Renaissance France. He authored a diverse body of work including the novel Le Moyen de Parvenir, poetry, and essays on philosophy and religion. His writing often satirized court life and explored themes of morality, human nature, and classical mythology. A polymath, he was versed in mathematics, theology, and the occult, incorporating these interests into his allegorical works. Although not widely recognized in his lifetime, his innovative style influenced later French literature. He died in 1626, leaving a legacy as one of the era’s most original and enigmatic writers.

Born in 1593 as Arjumand Banu Begum, she married Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan) in 1612 and became his favorite consort. Renamed Mumtaz Mahal, she wielded significant influence at court and accompanied the emperor on military campaigns. Her death in childbirth in 1631 deeply grieved Shah Jahan, who commissioned the Taj Mahal in her memory. The mausoleum, completed in 1653, stands as a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and an enduring symbol of love. Mumtaz Mahal’s patronage extended to charitable works and the promotion of arts in the empire. Her legacy endures through her children, five of whom became prominent figures in the Mughal Empire.

Born in 1650 in Kassel, Charlotte Amalie was the daughter of the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel. She married Crown Prince Christian of Denmark in 1667 and became Queen Consort upon his accession in 1670. Charlotte Amalie was known for her strong Protestant faith and support of religious refugees, including Huguenots. She established hospitals and orphanages, and patronized the arts and education at the Danish court. Widowed in 1699, she continued to influence court politics and maintained her own court at the Yellow Palace in Copenhagen. She died in 1714, leaving a legacy of compassion and cultural enrichment in Denmark.

Born in 1654 into an aristocratic family, Charles Blount became an outspoken proponent of deism and free thought. He wrote influential essays critiquing clerical power and promoting religious tolerance, including Anima Mundi. Blount’s works argued for the primacy of reason and nature in understanding God, challenging orthodox doctrines. Associated with other radical thinkers of his time, he contributed to the spread of Enlightenment ideas in England. His writings attracted both admiration and controversy, leading to accusations of atheism and blasphemy. He died in 1693, remembered as a forerunner of modern secular philosophy.

Born in 1701 into the House of Savoy, Charles Emmanuel III ascended the Sardinian throne in 1730. He implemented administrative, legal, and military reforms to consolidate royal authority and improve efficiency. Under his rule, Sardinia engaged in the War of the Polish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession with notable military successes. He promoted economic development by supporting mining, agriculture, and education reforms. His diplomatic skill kept Sardinia relatively stable amid the shifting alliances of 18th-century Europe. Charles Emmanuel III died in 1773, leaving a legacy as one of the Enlightened rulers of Italy.

Born in Ireland in 1718, Thomas Lewis emigrated to Virginia where he trained as a surveyor and lawyer. He participated in surveying frontier lands, laying out vast estates and shaping early American boundaries. Lewis served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, representing Augusta County and advocating for frontier settlers. He was granted thousands of acres of land for his service and helped establish settlements in the Shenandoah Valley. His legal expertise and political activity made him a key figure in colonial Virginia’s expansion. Thomas Lewis died in 1790, remembered for his contributions to land development and governance in early America.

Born in 1748 on the Ionian island of Chios, Adamantios Korais studied medicine and humanities at European universities. He became a leading figure of the modern Greek Enlightenment, promoting the purification of the Greek language and classical education. Korais published critical editions of ancient texts and wrote influential essays calling for political and cultural renewal among Greeks. His vision of a secular, educated citizenry helped inspire the Greek War of Independence and the creation of a modern Greek state. He hosted salons in Paris, connecting Greek exiles with European intellectuals of the period. Korais died in 1833, leaving a lasting legacy as the cornerstone of modern Greek identity and scholarship.

Born in 1755 in Auvernaux, France, Parseval became a pioneering mathematician and theorist. His most notable contribution is Parseval's identity, a fundamental result in Fourier series. He advanced the study of orthogonal functions and influenced mathematical analysis. Although underrecognized in his lifetime, his theorem remains central to signal processing and engineering. He died in 1836, leaving a lasting legacy in mathematics.

Born in 1759 in London, Wollstonecraft emerged as a leading advocate for gender equality. Her seminal work, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman', challenged societal norms and education systems. She wrote across genres, including history and novels, to explore themes of autonomy and justice. Her ideas laid the groundwork for modern feminist thought and inspired later generations of activists. She died in 1797 after giving birth to her daughter Mary Shelley, leaving a profound intellectual legacy.