May 10

He was born into the royal family of the Pagan Kingdom in present-day Myanmar. Trained as heir apparent, he stood poised to lead one of Southeast Asia’s earliest empires. Historical records about his life are sparse, but he appears in royal chronicles as the favored successor. His untimely death in 1299 altered the kingdom’s succession plans and political landscape. Scholars regard him as a symbol of the Pagan dynasty’s final golden age before its decline.

Born into a minor noble family, she became a lady-in-waiting at the English court. In the 1370s, she began her long-term relationship with John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. Their children were later legitimized as the Beauforts, ancestors of the Tudor dynasty. She married Gaunt in 1396 after the death of his second wife. Her life story inspired later works of literature and drama.

He was born in Florence in 1397 and excelled in mathematics and astronomy. Toscanelli served as a scholar and medic in the Papal court, gaining renown for his celestial observations. His correspondence with explorers, including Christopher Columbus, proposed a westward route to Asia. He created influential maps that encouraged transatlantic voyages. Though he never sailed himself, his theories played a key role in early global exploration.

Born around 1433 into the powerful Clan Campbell, he rose quickly in Scottish politics. As 1st Earl of Argyll, he managed vast estates and commanded feudal forces. King James III appointed him Lord Chancellor of Scotland, entrusting him with the kingdom’s legal affairs. He navigated clan rivalries and royal tensions during a turbulent era. His leadership helped shape late medieval Scotland’s governance and nobility.

Born in Strasbourg in 1457, Brant became a prominent figure in German humanism. He studied law and served as a judge before turning to literature. His 1494 work “Das Narrenschiff” (Ship of Fools) satirized the vices of his age and achieved wide popularity. Brant published numerous poetry collections and moral treatises, influencing Northern Renaissance literature. He is remembered as a leading voice of early German satire.

Born in 1501 in Wemding, Fuchs studied medicine at the University of Paris and Ferrara. He practiced as a physician while passionately collecting and classifying plants. In 1542, he published “De Historia Stirpium,” featuring detailed plant illustrations and descriptions. His work laid the foundations for modern botany and inspired the naming of the fuchsia flower. Fuchs’s blending of medical knowledge and botanical science marked a major advance in natural history.

Born in Almodóvar del Campo in 1500, he initially studied law before embracing the priesthood. He became known for his mystical writings and deep spiritual guidance. Ávila preached across Andalusia, calling for moral reform among clergy and laity. In 1622, he was canonized and later declared a Doctor of the Church for his theological contributions. His teachings continue to influence Carmelite spirituality and Catholic devotional life.

Born in Stockholm in 1596, Banér rose through the Swedish military ranks under King Gustavus Adolphus. He became field marshal and led Swedish forces after the king’s death in battle. Banér secured key victories at battles such as Wittstock, disrupting Imperial forces. His strategic use of mobility and artillery established Sweden as a major European power. He died in 1641 at Eger, leaving a legacy as one of Sweden’s greatest military commanders.

Born in 1641 in Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Hathorne was a respected merchant and magistrate. He served as a leading judge during the Salem witch trials of 1692, holding harsh cross-examinations. His vigorous prosecution contributed to the convictions and executions of accused individuals. After the trials, he continued in colonial politics, serving in the Massachusetts General Court. He is also recognized as an ancestor of the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Born in 1670 as an illegitimate son of King Charles II and actress Nell Gwyn, he was titled Duke of St Albans in 1684. He pursued a military career, serving as a colonel in the English army. Beauclerk held political office as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, representing royal interests locally. He managed his estates with a keen interest in public service and royal patronage. His legacy lives on through the Beauclerk family’s continued prominence in British aristocracy.

Born in 1710, Louis XV succeeded his great-grandfather, Louis XIV, at the age of five. His long reign saw the flourishing of French culture, science, and philosophy under royal patronage. He supported artists such as François Boucher and architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Military conflicts like the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War strained the royal treasury. Extravagant court spending and ineffective taxation led to mounting public debt. Despite earning the affectionate nickname Louis the Beloved, his rule was marred by scandal and unrest. His death in 1774 left a kingdom on the brink of upheaval.

Born in 1715, William Watson studied medicine at the University of Cambridge. He conducted groundbreaking experiments on electricity, collaborating with figures like Benjamin Franklin. Watson demonstrated the conductive properties of metals and explored lightning rods. In addition to his electrical research, he made contributions to botany and published observations on plant physiology. He served as a physician to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and was active in scientific societies. His interdisciplinary work helped lay the foundations for modern electrochemistry and medical practice.