May 14

Robert Owen (1771–1858) was a Welsh businessman, social reformer, and utopian socialist. He managed textile mills in New Lanark, Scotland, implementing progressive labor practices. Owen improved working conditions, reduced child labor, and established schools for workers' children. He founded experimental cooperative communities, including New Harmony in Indiana. His writings on social organization and cooperative economics influenced later socialist movements. Though his communal experiments often faced challenges, his vision for social welfare endures.

Charles Frederick Beyer (1814–1876) was a German-English locomotive engineer and industrial pioneer. He co-founded Beyer, Peacock & Company in Manchester, which became one of the world's foremost locomotive manufacturers. Beyer's designs, including the famous 'Condor' locomotive, helped drive railway expansion across Europe and abroad. He was also a founding professor of the Manchester Mechanics' Institute and championed technical education for workers. His contributions significantly advanced engineering practices during the Industrial Revolution.

Alistair McAlpine was born in 1942 into a prominent aristocratic family and succeeded to his barony. He studied economics and built a career in finance and investment management. In the late 1970s, McAlpine became treasurer of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher and played a central role in fundraising. He advised senior government officials and wrote on political strategy. His business interests included property development and venture capital. McAlpine was known for his wit, social connections, and influence in both political and business circles. He retired from active politics in the 1990s and passed away in 2014, remembered for his strategic acumen.

Mark Zuckerberg is an American computer programmer and internet entrepreneur. He co-founded Facebook in 2004 while studying at Harvard University. Under his leadership, Facebook grew into one of the world's largest social networking platforms with billions of users. He has overseen the company's expansion into mobile, the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, and the development of the Horizon Worlds metaverse platform. Zuckerberg is a philanthropist who has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Forbes regularly ranks him among the world's youngest billionaires. Controversies around data privacy and platform governance have marked his tenure. He remains a pivotal figure in the technology industry and digital communication.