May 17

Al-Qa'im bi-Amr Allah (893–946) was the second Fatimid caliph, ruling from 934 until his death. Born to the dynasty's founder, he inherited a realm spanning Ifriqiya (modern Tunisia and eastern Algeria). He consolidated Fatimid authority, suppressing rebellions and expanding influence into Sicily and the Mediterranean. His reign saw the establishment of new administrative structures and the promotion of Isma'ili Shi'a Islam. Al-Qa'im died on 17 May 946, leaving a strengthened state that would become a major medieval power.

Born in 1504 near Norwich, Parker studied at Cambridge and became a respected theologian and academic. He served as tutor and chaplain to Princess Elizabeth, later supporting her accession to the throne. In 1559, Elizabeth I appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury, entrusting him with restoring Protestantism. Parker oversaw the translation and publication of the Book of Common Prayer and established the Thirty-Nine Articles. He collected ancient manuscripts, preserving key documents of the early English church before his death in 1575.

Born in 1675, Clarke became a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and served as a royal chaplain. He is best known for his correspondence with Leibniz on the nature of space, time, and the existence of God. Clarke’s 1705 work ‘A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God’ was influential in Enlightenment thought. His philosophical writings defended Newtonian physics and arguments for divine providence. As a clergyman, he preached widely and wrote on the relationship between faith and reason. He died in 1729, remembered as a leading figure in early 18th-century English philosophy.

Archibald Alison was a Scottish Episcopal priest and moral philosopher born in London in 1757. Educated at the University of Edinburgh, he served as minister of Kenley, Surrey, from 1780 until his death. Alison’s most notable work, 'Essays on the Nature and Principles of Taste' (1790), explored aesthetic theory and influenced discussions on art and beauty. His writings combined philosophical analysis with practical examples from literature and art. Alison’s insights helped shape the field of aesthetics in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He also wrote devotional texts and supported charitable causes in his parish. Alison died in 1839, remembered for bridging theology and philosophy.

Giacomo Zanella was born in 1820 in the Veneto region of Italy and ordained as a Catholic priest. He emerged as a prominent poet in the Italian Romantic movement, drawing inspiration from classical mythology and Christian spirituality. Zanella served as a teacher and rector at seminaries, dedicating himself to both education and literature. His major works, including 'Il pianto antico' (The Ancient Lament), were celebrated for their melodic language and emotional depth. He balanced his clerical duties with a passion for poetry, earning admiration from literary contemporaries. Zanella’s verse explored themes of nature, faith, and human longing. His contributions remain influential in 19th-century Italian letters.

Donald William Coggan was born in 1909 and became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1974. He was previously Bishop of Bradford, Bishop of Manchester, and Archbishop of York. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he emphasized ecumenical dialogue and church unity. He authored several theological works and pastoral letters. He was known for his efforts to modernize worship and engage with contemporary social issues. He retired in 1980 and was granted a life peerage as Baron Coggan. He died in 2000 at the age of 90, leaving a lasting impact on the Church of England.