May 15

Born in 1397, Sejong ascended the throne in 1418 and ruled until 1450. He is best known for creating Hangul, the Korean alphabet, to promote literacy among common people. Under his reign, Joseon saw significant agricultural reforms, military improvements, and the establishment of the Hall of Worthies. Sejong also supported advancements in astronomy, music, and printing technology. He is remembered as a wise and benevolent ruler whose reforms shaped Korean identity and culture.

Born in 1531 to Emperor Charles V and Isabella of Portugal, Maria belonged to the powerful Habsburg dynasty. In 1546, she married Duke William of Jülich-Cleves-Berg and became duchess consort of the united duchies. After her husband's death, Maria served as regent for her son, navigating religious tensions between Protestants and Catholics. She was a noted patron of the arts and architecture, fostering Renaissance culture in her territories. Maria's diplomatic skills helped maintain stability in her duchies amid the upheavals of the Reformation. She died in 1581, leaving a legacy as a capable and enlightened ruler.

Born in 1565 in Utrecht, de Keyser moved to Amsterdam to study and work under Cornelis Floris. He became a master sculptor and architect, pioneering the Dutch Renaissance style in civic and ecclesiastical buildings. His notable works include the Westerkerk tower and the Zuiderkerk, which remain iconic landmarks in Amsterdam. De Keyser's sculptural tomb monuments for prominent figures showcased his skillful use of classical forms. He founded a successful workshop that trained the next generation of Dutch artists. His architectural and artistic legacy helped define the Golden Age of the Netherlands.

Born in 1567 in Cremona, Monteverdi demonstrated musical talent from a young age and studied under Marc'Antonio Ingegneri. He served as court musician at Mantua, where he composed his groundbreaking opera L'Orfeo in 1607, considered one of the earliest operatic masterpieces. In 1613, he became maestro di cappella at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, innovating the use of basso continuo and dramatic expression in sacred music. Monteverdi's madrigals and Vespers compositions revolutionized the relationship between music and text. His work laid the foundation for the Baroque period and influenced generations of composers. He died in Venice in 1643, remembered as one of music history's most important figures.

Born in 1608 in Drôme, France, Goupil joined the Jesuit mission in New France as a lay missionary and surgeon. He traveled to the Wyandot and Iroquois territories to provide medical aid and evangelize indigenous peoples. In 1642, he was captured by Mohawk warriors and killed during his captivity, refusing to renounce his faith. Goupil was beatified in 1925 and canonized in 1930, becoming the first canonized saint of the Americas. He is celebrated for his selfless service, courage, and dedication to his missionary calling. His legacy lives on in Jesuit history and Catholic hagiography.

Born in 1633 in Saint-Léger-de-Foucherest, France, Vauban joined the French army and quickly gained recognition for his engineering talents. He was appointed inspector of fortifications by Louis XIV and designed or improved over 160 strongholds across France. Vauban developed systematic approaches to siegecraft and defensive works, codified in his influential treatises. He introduced the star fort design and optimized defensive layouts to withstand artillery assaults. Elevated to Marshal of France in 1703, Vauban's innovations greatly enhanced Louis XIV's military power. He died in 1707, leaving a legacy as one of history's greatest military engineers.

Born in 1645, Jeffreys rose through the English legal system to become Lord Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor under James II. He presided over the Bloody Assizes in 1685, where many rebels from the Monmouth Rebellion received severe punishments. Jeffreys earned a reputation for brutality, sentencing hundreds to death or transportation, earning the moniker the 'Hanging Judge.' After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London for his conduct. Jeffreys died in 1689, his legacy marked by controversy and the lasting infamy of his judicial career. He remains one of the most infamous figures in British legal history.

Born in 1689 to the prominent Wortley Montagu family, she became well-known for her wit and intelligence. In 1716, Montagu traveled to the Ottoman Empire with her physician husband, writing the celebrated Turkish Embassy Letters. Her letters offered Europeans rare insights into Ottoman culture, society, and women's lives. Intrigued by local medical practices, she oversaw the inoculation of her own son against smallpox in Constantinople. Upon returning to England, she championed inoculation, paving the way for its adoption in Britain. Montagu's literary contributions and medical advocacy made her a pioneering figure of the Enlightenment.

Born in 1720 in Selmecbánya, Hungary, Hell joined the Society of Jesus and pursued studies in astronomy. He became director of the Vienna Observatory, where he published annual ephemerides used by navigators. In 1761, Hell led a scientific expedition to Vardø, Norway, to observe the transit of Venus and improve measurements of the solar system. His detailed observations and calculations contributed to more accurate determinations of the Earth-Sun distance. After his return, Hell published his findings, though they faced controversy over publication delays. He died in 1792, remembered as a key figure in 18th-century astronomical research.

Born in 1749 in Hingham, Massachusetts, Lincoln studied law and established a successful practice. He represented Massachusetts in the Continental Congress and served in the state legislature during the Revolutionary War. In 1801, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him as the fourth U.S. Attorney General, and he also acted as Secretary of State. Lincoln advocated for Republican principles, including states' rights and limited federal government. After resigning in 1805 due to health reasons, he returned to Massachusetts politics and served as governor. He died in 1820, remembered for his contributions to the early legal and political foundations of the United States.

Born in Vienna in 1759 and blind from early childhood, Von Paradis studied under leading teachers including Antonio Salieri. She made her public debut at the age of 14 and toured major European cities, performing for monarchs and nobility. Von Paradis composed operas, chamber music, piano works, and vocal pieces that were published widely during her lifetime. She inspired audiences and fellow musicians with her expressive artistry and technical mastery. Her achievements contributed to the recognition of women and disabled artists in the classical era. After retiring from performance, she taught at the Institute for the Blind in Vienna until her death in 1824.

Born in Trois-Rivières in 1770, Hart established a successful business in the fur trade and timber industries. In 1807 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada but was barred from taking his seat due to his Jewish faith. His case sparked public debate on religious tolerance and citizenship rights. Hart remained active as a militia officer and continued to expand his trading ventures. He later regained a seat in the assembly amid growing calls for civil rights. Throughout his life, he advocated for equal treatment of minority groups in colonial politics. Hart died in 1843, remembered for his pioneering role in advancing Jewish civil rights in Canada.