August 20

Shahrukh Mirza was the fourth son of Timur and became ruler of the eastern Timurid Empire in 1405. He established his capital at Herat and oversaw a period of relative peace and cultural flourishing. Under his reign, Herat became a major center of Islamic art, architecture, and learning. He patronized scholars, poets, and artists, contributing to the Timurid Renaissance. Shahrukh’s diplomatic relations with neighboring states helped stabilize the region. He maintained control over much of Persia, Transoxiana, and parts of Central Asia until his death.

Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle served as a key advisor to Emperor Charles V and King Philip II of Spain. He played a central role in Habsburg policy in the Netherlands and was a leading figure of the Counter-Reformation. Granvelle amassed an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures, influencing European art circles. He was appointed cardinal in 1550 and later became Archbishop of Mechelen and Bishop of Arras. His correspondence offers deep insight into 16th-century European politics and religious conflicts. After falling from favor in Brussels, he retired to Besançon, where he continued to build his library and collections.

Jacopo Peri collaborated with poet Ottavio Rinuccini to create what is considered the first opera, Dafne, around 1597. His later work, Euridice (1600), is the earliest surviving opera score and influenced the development of the genre. A skilled tenor, Peri performed in many court entertainments in Florence for the Medici family. He experimented with monody, emphasizing solo voice with instrumental accompaniment to convey emotion. Peri’s contributions laid the groundwork for Monteverdi and the flourishing of Baroque opera. His writings on music theory helped shape early 17th-century Italian musical aesthetics.

Thomas Corneille wrote over thirty plays, including tragedies, comedies, and operatic libretti. His works often adapted classical and contemporary sources, achieving great success on the Parisian stage. A respected philologist, he published studies on ancient and modern languages and served as historiographer to Louis XIV. Corneille was elected to the Académie Française in 1671, recognizing his literary achievements. He collaborated with Jean-Baptiste Lully on several operas and ballet-pantomimes. His influence extended through his translations, essays, and contributions to the theatre of the Grand Siècle.

Louis Bourdaloue joined the Jesuit order in 1653 and quickly gained fame for his powerful preaching style. He delivered numerous sermons before the royal court, attracting audiences with his clear rhetoric and moral instruction. Bourdaloue’s sermons were published posthumously and became standard texts in French religious literature. He taught theology at various Jesuit colleges and influenced generations of clergy and laity. Known for his emphasis on charity, piety, and devotion, he sought to address both spiritual and social issues. His legacy endures in the study of homiletics and Jesuit educational traditions.

Henry Every, also known as Avery, commanded the ship Fancy and conducted one of the most profitable pirate raids in history. In 1695, he captured the Mughal ship Ganj-i-Sawai, seizing treasures that sparked diplomatic tensions with India. He was one of the few pirate captains to retire with his loot, disappearing from records after 1696. Every’s exploits fueled the so-called Golden Age of Piracy, inspiring legends and fear among maritime powers. Despite a large reward for his capture, his fate remains a mystery, contributing to his enduring notoriety. Stories of his daring and success influenced pirate lore in literature and popular culture for centuries.

Thomas Simpson’s rule, introduced in his 1743 work The Doctrine and Application of Fluxions, remains a key technique in numerical integration. He served as a fellow and tutor at St. John’s College, Cambridge, influencing mathematics education in England. Simpson made contributions to probability, algebra, and finite difference methods. He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1748, recognizing his advancements in mathematical science. His textbooks and treatises were widely used, shaping the teaching of calculus and analytical geometry. Simpson’s work paved the way for later developments in numerical analysis and applied mathematics.

Christian Mayer served as a professor of mathematics and physics, teaching at the University of Olomouc. He conducted early telescopic observations of double stars on Mount Etna, compiling one of the first catalogs of binary systems. His work on the refraction of light and astronomical instruments advanced optics and observational techniques. Mayer corresponded with leading European scientists, including Jérôme Lalande and Charles Messier. He wrote influential textbooks on astronomy and mathematics for university students. His efforts helped establish astronomy as an academic discipline in Central Europe.

Bernard de Bury entered the royal music service at Versailles as a child prodigy on the harpsichord. He composed numerous keyboard suites, ballets, and operatic works for court festivities. His style reflects the elegance and ornamentation of French Rococo music. De Bury published his Premier livre de pièces de clavecin in 1741, contributing to the harpsichord repertoire. He collaborated with prominent librettists and choreographers for court performances. His music is admired for its expressive melodies, intricate figuration, and refined sense of dance.

Bernardo O'Higgins, son of an Irish merchant and a Chilean mother, became a driving force in Latin American independence. He led Patriot forces to victory at the Battle of Chacabuco in 1817 and secured Chile’s liberation. As Supreme Director (1817–1823), he enacted land reforms, promoted education, and supported infrastructure projects. His government faced internal opposition, leading to his resignation and exile in Peru. O'Higgins is remembered as the father of Chile, celebrated for his vision of a free and stable nation. His legacy endures in Chilean history, with monuments, institutions, and national holidays honoring his contributions.

Jöns Jacob Berzelius was a Swedish chemist and academic renowned for establishing modern chemical research. He introduced a systematic chemical notation that set the standard for element symbols still used today. Berzelius determined atomic weights for numerous elements, moving chemistry towards quantitative science. He discovered the elements cerium, selenium, silicon, and thorium, expanding the known periodic table. His invention of the concept of catalysis opened new avenues in chemical reaction studies. Berzelius was a central figure in 19th-century science whose methodologies remain foundational.

Abbas Mirza was the crown prince of the Persian Qajar dynasty and son of Fath-Ali Shah. Facing military defeats against Russia, he introduced European-style army reforms and modern artillery. He invited foreign experts to train his troops and revamped training, organization, and weaponry. Mirza championed administrative and educational reforms, sending students abroad to study. Although he never ascended the throne, his modernization efforts laid groundwork for future reforms in Iran. He remains a symbol of early 19th-century attempts to bridge Persian tradition with Western advancements.