September 22

Born in 1013 as a daughter of Duke Mieszko II Lambert of Poland, Richeza married King Béla I of Hungary in 1050. As Queen consort, she supported her husband’s reign and later played a crucial role in her sons’ bids for the Hungarian throne. After Béla’s death in 1063, she returned to Poland, where she continued to influence dynastic politics. Known for her piety, she founded and patronized churches and monasteries across Central Europe. Richeza died in 1075 and was later venerated for her charitable works and royal lineage.

Born near Erbil in 1211, Ibn Khallikan studied Sharia law and Arabic literature before serving as judge in several cities including Damascus and Cairo. His magnum opus, Wafayat al-A'yan, compiled detailed biographies of notable figures across the Islamic world, becoming a vital source for historians. He also wrote poetry and works on rhetoric, demonstrating a mastery of classical Arabic style. Throughout his career, he was respected for his fairness and scholarship. He died in 1282, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest medieval Arab historians.

Born in 1373, Thomas le Despenser inherited vast lands and titles as a member of the Despenser family. Created Earl of Gloucester in 1397 by King Richard II, he initially enjoyed royal favor. Following Richard’s deposition, he joined a conspiracy known as the Epiphany Rising aimed at restoring Richard to the throne. The failed rebellion led to his capture and execution for treason in January 1400. His brief rise and fall illustrate the turbulence of English politics at the turn of the 15th century.

Born in 1480 in a Telugu-speaking region, Tenali Rama rose to prominence in the early 16th century as part of King Krishnadevaraya’s inner circle. Renowned for his sharp wit and clever solutions, he entertained the court with humorous anecdotes and composed devotional and political poetry. His tales, blending folklore and moral lessons, remain a popular feature of South Indian storytelling traditions. As an able diplomat, he reputedly resolved disputes using ingenuity rather than force. He died in 1528, leaving a legacy celebrated in literature and popular culture across India.

Born in 1515 to the ducal house of Cleves in present-day Germany, Anne married Henry VIII in January 1540 as part of a political alliance. Despite meeting with the King shortly before the wedding, Henry famously claimed he found her unattractive, leading to the annulment of their union in July 1540. Anne retained her title as Queen and was granted a generous settlement, living comfortably in England thereafter. She cultivated friendships with Henry’s children and maintained a respected position at court. Anne died in 1557, remembered for her dignified response to one of history’s most infamous royal divorces.

Born in Wimpfen in 1547, Frischlin studied languages, law, and mathematics at the universities of Tübingen and Strasbourg. He served as a professor of poetry in Strasbourg and produced Latin tragedies, comedies, and satirical poems praised across Europe. His scientific interests led him to publish works on mathematics and astronomy that reflected the humanist spirit of the era. However, controversies over his outspoken criticism of church officials marred his career. In 1590, while fleeing legal charges, he died under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a diverse body of work.

Born in Basel in 1593, Merian apprenticed under prominent engravers before settling in Frankfurt am Main, where he established a successful publishing house. He is best known for his Topographia Germaniae, a multi-volume series illustrating towns, castles, and landscapes across the German-speaking world. Merian also contributed to the Icones plantarum selectarum, combining botanical art with scientific description. His meticulous engravings set new standards for accuracy and artistry in cartography. He died in 1650, leaving a legacy that influenced mapmaking and publishing for generations.

Born in 1601 as a Spanish Infanta, Anne married King Louis XIII of France in 1615 to seal a Franco-Spanish alliance. After Louis XIII’s death in 1643, she governed France as regent for her five-year-old son, the future Louis XIV. Her regency navigated the turmoil of the Fronde civil wars and maintained royal authority. Known for her political acumen, she relied on Cardinal Mazarin as her chief minister. Anne’s patronage of the arts aided the development of French classical culture. She died in 1666, having shaped the early years of the Sun King’s reign.

Born in 1606 in Shaanxi province, Li Zicheng rose from peasant origins to lead a massive uprising against the corrupt Ming government. His forces captured Beijing in April 1644, prompting the last Ming emperor to commit suicide. Li proclaimed the Shun dynasty and took the title of Emperor, but his rule was undermined by internal strife and the advance of Qing Manchu armies. Defeated shortly after in September 1644, he fled and died under uncertain circumstances in 1645. His rebellion marked a pivotal transition between the Ming and Qing dynasties in Chinese history.

Born in 1680 near Hamburg, Brockes studied law but devoted much of his life to poetry and translation. His poetic collection Irdisches Vergnügen in Gott celebrated the beauty of nature through vivid imagery and reflective verse. He also translated English works, including plays by Shakespeare and poems by Phaedrus, introducing them to German audiences. Brockes was a key figure in the early Enlightenment, influencing later movements such as Sturm und Drang. He died in 1747, leaving behind a body of work that shaped German literary taste.

Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773), was an influential English statesman and diplomat. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from 1745 to 1746, playing a key role in Anglo-Irish governance. A man of refined taste and wit, he emphasized etiquette and education in both public and private life. His posthumously published "Letters to His Son" offered timeless advice on manners, politics, and personal conduct. Stanhope's literary style and political acumen earned him admiration across Europe. He left a lasting imprint on 18th-century society through both his administrative reforms and his celebrated writings.

Jean-Étienne Guettard (1715–1786) was a French mineralogist and botanist who made foundational contributions to the study of Earth's strata and plant distribution. He produced one of the first geological maps of France, illustrating the relationship between rock types and surface formations. A member of the French Academy of Sciences, he traveled extensively to catalog minerals and flora in diverse regions. Guettard's systematic observations helped establish mineralogy as a distinct scientific discipline. He also collected botanical specimens, contributing to early plant taxonomy. His interdisciplinary approach influenced generations of naturalists and geologists.