1st Earl of Richmond, English soldier
1st Earl of Richmond
English soldier
A Breton nobleman and English soldier who became the first Earl of Richmond and supported Empress Matilda.
Born around 1100 into the noble House of Rohan in Brittany.
Cousin to Duke Conan III, he secured English lands through service to King Henry I.
In 1136 he was created Earl of Richmond, consolidating his power.
During the civil war known as the Anarchy, he sided with Empress Matilda.
He maintained a strong retinue of knights and fortified his estates against rival claimants.
Died in 1146, leaving a legacy in the politics of Norman England.
1146
Alan, 1st Earl of Richmond
French general and engineer
French general and engineer
French general and military engineer during the Napoleonic era.
Born in 1752, Antoine Étienne de Tousard trained at the French military engineering school and entered the corps of engineers.
He served in various campaigns of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, overseeing fortifications and siege operations.
Tousard's expertise in military architecture contributed to the design and defense of key strongholds across Europe.
He rose to the rank of général de division and was recognized for his strategic planning and technical skill.
Tousard's career exemplified the vital role of engineering in 18th- and early 19th-century warfare.
1813
Antoine Étienne de Tousard
Guatemalan general, lawyer, and politician, President of Central American Federation
Guatemalan general
lawyer
and politician
President of Central American Federation
Francisco Morazán was a Central American liberal leader and general who served as President of the Federal Republic of Central America.
Francisco Morazán (1792–1842) was a prominent Honduran-born politician and military leader who championed the unity of Central American states.
He played a key role in several battles during the independence era and advocated for liberal reforms such as freedom of the press and separation of church and state.
As president of the Federal Republic of Central America, he sought to strengthen institutions and promote education across the region.
Despite facing constant political opposition and civil wars, Morazán remained committed to his vision of a united federation.
His eventual defeat led to his execution in 1842, but his legacy endures as a symbol of Central American unity and liberalism.
Francisco Morazán
President of Central American Federation
English soldier and explorer
English soldier and explorer
John Hanning Speke was an English explorer who became the first European to reach the shores of Lake Victoria, identifying it as the Nile's source.
John Hanning Speke (1827–1864) served as a British army officer before joining the expedition led by Richard Francis Burton in search of the Nile's source.
In 1858, Speke became the first European to see Lake Victoria and proposed that it fed the White Nile, sparking intense debate among geographers.
He later conducted a solo expedition to confirm his hypothesis, marking a significant milestone in African exploration.
Speke's detailed journals and maps advanced Western understanding of East Africa’s geography and ethnic groups.
Despite controversies over his conclusions, his pioneering spirit helped open the region to further scientific and cultural study.
1864
John Hanning Speke
Austrian-Russian general
Austrian-Russian general
Roman von Ungern-Sternberg was an Austro-Russian noble and military commander famed for his role in the Russian Civil War and Mongolia.
Roman Fyodorovich von Ungern-Sternberg (1886–1921), known as the 'Mad Baron', was a Baltic German nobleman who fought for the White Army.
During the Russian Civil War, he led a fiercely loyal cavalry division and became notorious for his brutal tactics and mystic beliefs.
In 1921, Ungern led an expedition into Mongolia, briefly overthrowing Chinese rule and declaring a monarchist state under the Bogd Khan.
His reign was marked by both admiration from some locals and fear due to violent reprisals against perceived enemies.
Captured by Red Army forces, he was tried and executed in November 1921, his dramatic life becoming emblematic of the chaos of post-revolutionary Russia.
1921
Roman von Ungern-Sternberg
English general
English general
British Royal Marines general who led the land forces during the 1982 Falklands War.
Sir Jeremy Moore joined the Royal Marines in 1945 and built a distinguished military career. He commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the pivotal land campaign of the Falklands War, overseeing the successful recapture of the islands. Known for his calm leadership under pressure, he coordinated amphibious operations and ground assaults. Moore's strategic decisions were crucial in the British victory over Argentine forces. After the war, he continued to serve in high-level positions before retiring. His contributions to military history are marked by his steady command and tactical acumen.
Jeremy Moore
Israeli commander, historian, and politician
Israeli commander
historian
and politician
Meir Pa'il was an Israeli military officer turned historian and politician.
Born in 1926, Meir Pa'il joined the Israeli Defense Forces and rose to the rank of colonel, playing a key role in Israel's early military history.
After retiring from active duty, he became a distinguished historian, authoring several books on Middle Eastern military strategy and politics.
In the 1970s, Pa'il co-founded the left-wing party Ratz and served as a member of the Knesset, advocating for civil rights and peace initiatives.
His scholarship bridged military theory and political science, influencing both academic circles and policymakers.
Pa'il's multifaceted career left a lasting impact on Israel's military institutions and its democratic discourse.
Meir Pa'il