June 10

Born in 867, Emperor Uda ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 887 at the age of 20. He championed literary and religious scholarship, inviting poets, scholars, and Buddhist monks to court. Uda enacted reforms to curb the power of dominant aristocratic families and strengthen imperial authority. In an unusual move for the era, he abdicated voluntarily in 897 to pursue a life of study and devotion. During retirement in Heian-kyō, he remained an influential figure, guiding court politics and cultural life. He died in 931, leaving a legacy of learned governance and spiritual dedication.

Born in 940 in Buzhgan, present-day Iran, Abu al-Wafa' made seminal contributions to trigonometry, introducing tangent and secant functions. He compiled extensive astronomical tables and improved methods for calculating the lunar crescent. His works influenced later Islamic and European scholars in the study of spherical geometry and astronomy. Abu al-Wafa' developed new instruments for observing celestial bodies and refined the theory of parallactic points. He wrote key texts such as Kitāb fī sinaʿat ay al‐ḥisāb and was a mentor to succeeding generations. He died in 998, leaving behind a rich legacy in mathematical and astronomical science.

Born in 1213 near Hamadan, Iraq, he traveled widely in pursuit of spiritual knowledge and Sufi masters. His magnum opus, Luṭf al-ʿIshq, is an allegorical poem exploring divine love and mystical union. Iraqi’s philosophical treatises merged Neoplatonic thought with Islamic mysticism, influencing later Sufi literature. He studied under the prominent scholar Sadr al-Din al-Qunawi and engaged in debates on theology and metaphysics. His works Safīnat al-Akhbār and Diwān contain rich imagery and reflect his deep devotion to the Prophet Muhammad. He died in 1289 in Damascus, leaving a lasting imprint on Persian-language Sufi poetry.

Born in 1465 in Gattinara, Italy, he studied law at the University of Pavia and Padua. As Grand Chancellor from 1518, Gattinara shaped the foreign policy of Charles V, promoting Christian unity against Ottoman expansion. He championed imperial authority and legal reform, drafting key edicts to strengthen governance. A humanist scholar, he corresponded with leading thinkers and supported artistic patronage at the imperial court. His diplomatic missions to Pope Leo X and other European rulers were crucial in forging alliances. He died in 1530, remembered as a model of principled statesmanship and legal expertise.

Born in 1513, Louis was a prince of the House of Bourbon and held the title Duke of Montpensier. He commanded troops during the Italian Wars and later in internal conflicts of France. During the French Wars of Religion, he navigated shifting alliances between royal and Huguenot factions. A patron of the arts, he maintained a court renowned for its poets and musicians. His correspondence reveals political acumen in balancing loyalty to the crown with regional interests. He died in 1582, leaving a legacy as a skilled commander and influential nobleman of 16th-century France.

Born in 1557, Leandro was the eldest son of Jacopo Bassano and worked in his father’s workshop. He specialized in vibrant religious compositions, pastoral scenes, and detailed portraiture. Leandro’s use of rich colors and dynamic lighting reflected the Venetian Mannerist style. After his father’s death, he led the Bassano workshop and secured commissions from nobility and the church. His works adorned churches and palaces across Northern Italy, blending realism with poetic elegance. He died in 1622, leaving a distinctive artistic legacy within the renowned Bassano family.

Born in 1632 in Pernes-les-Fontaines, Fléchier was educated by Jesuits before joining the priesthood. He became Bishop of Nîmes in 1687 and later Bishop of Alès in 1694. Fléchier gained fame for his eloquent funeral orations delivered at royal and noble funerals in Paris. His Sermons d’Avignon and panegyrics exemplify the classical French style and moral reflection. He corresponded with leading intellectuals of his day and was admitted to the Académie Française in 1672. He died in 1710, remembered as one of France’s greatest 17th-century preachers and writers.

Born in 1688, he was the son of King James II of England and VII of Scotland and Mary of Modena. After his father’s deposition in the Glorious Revolution, he led the Jacobite cause from exile in France. In 1701, he was proclaimed James III of England and VIII of Scotland by his supporters. He attempted invasions and uprisings, including the 1715 Rising, to restore the Stuart monarchy. Living mostly in Rome under papal protection, he maintained a court-in-exile and asserted dynastic rights. He died in 1766, leaving a contested legacy and a divided Jacobite movement led by his descendants.

Born on 10 June 1713, Caroline was the third daughter of George II and Queen Caroline. She was engaged briefly to Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia, but the match was dissolved. Caroline was known for her patronage of the arts and her refined taste in literature and music. Despite her royal status, she lived a relatively private life at the British court. She struggled with health issues throughout her life, which limited her public engagements. She died unmarried in 1757, remembered for her intellect and piety.

Born in 1716 in Tanum, Sweden, Ekeberg studied medicine at Uppsala University. He joined the Swedish East India Company and commanded multiple voyages to the coast of Brazil. Ekeberg charted the Brazilian coastline and collected specimens of plants and animals. His travel accounts provided valuable information on geography, climate, and indigenous cultures. He returned to Sweden to practice medicine and published detailed descriptions of his expeditions. He died in 1784, leaving a dual legacy as a pioneering explorer and respected physician.

William Eustis was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and studied medicine at Harvard College. He served as a surgeon in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. After practicing medicine, he entered politics and represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1801 to 1805. President James Madison appointed him Secretary of War, where he oversaw military operations during the War of 1812. In 1823, he was elected the 12th Governor of Massachusetts and served until his death in 1825. He is remembered for his leadership during turbulent times and his lifelong dedication to public service.

Hermann Schlegel was born in Weißenburg, Bavaria and studied medicine and natural history at the Universities of Erlangen and Paris. In 1839, he joined the Rijksmuseum in Leiden as an assistant under Coenraad Temminck and later became its director. He conducted pioneering research in ornithology and herpetology, describing dozens of new species from around the world. His major works include Monographie de quelques genres d'oiseaux and Reptilia et Amphibia. Schlegel significantly enriched the Leiden collections and mentored a generation of naturalists. His meticulous taxonomic studies laid the foundation for modern bird and reptile classification.