September 26

Al-Mu'izz li-Din Allah, born in 932, was the fourth caliph of the Fatimid dynasty and succeeded his father al-Mansur at a young age. During his reign, he focused on consolidating the Fatimid state and designating Egypt as the new heartland of his empire. In 969, his general Jawhar al-Siqilli captured Egypt, and Al-Mu'izz relocated the capital from al-Mahdiyya to the newly founded city of al-Qahira (Cairo). Under his rule, Cairo developed into a political and cultural center, featuring the construction of palaces, mosques, and fortifications. He promoted Shia Ismaili doctrines and oversaw the growth of learning institutions and libraries. His rule marked the peak of Fatimid power, extending from North Africa to the Levant. Al-Mu'izz's legacy endures in Cairo's urban landscape and the enduring tradition of Fatimid art and scholarship.

Born in 1329 as the daughter of Louis IV of Bavaria, Anne was married to Charles IV in 1349, forging a powerful alliance between the Wittelsbach and Luxembourg dynasties. As Queen consort of Germany and Bohemia, she played a central role in the royal court, hosting ceremonies and patronizing cultural events. Anne supported charitable works and was involved in artistic patronage during a vibrant period of medieval European history. Her influence helped to strengthen Charles IV's claim to the imperial crown and foster unity among the German principalities. Tragically, her life was cut short by the plague in 1353, and she was remembered for her grace and diplomatic acumen in a turbulent era.

Thomas de Ros inherited the title of 8th Baron de Ros in Yorkshire and came of age during the reign of Henry V. He took part in the later stages of the Hundred Years' War, gaining experience on the battlefields of France. Back in England, he was summoned to Parliament, representing his peers in the House of Lords. He balanced his responsibilities as a warrior with those of a statesman, reflecting the dual roles of medieval aristocracy. His promising career was cut short when he died in 1430 at the age of 24, leaving a legacy of service to crown and country.

Born in 1462 to the ducal family of Cleves, Engelbert inherited the County of Nevers through his mother's lineage. He governed his domains in eastern France, navigating alliances between the French crown and the Dukes of Burgundy. Engelbert invested in local administration, promoting trade and justice within his counties. His marriage to Charlotte de Bourbon further strengthened his political connections among the French nobility. Throughout his rule, he maintained a delicate balance of power in a region fraught with rivalries. Engelbert's leadership contributed to the stability and prosperity of Nevers until his death in 1506.

Born in 1526 to Louis II, Elector Palatine, Wolfgang inherited the territory of Zweibrücken upon his father's death. His reign coincided with the Protestant Reformation, and he implemented Lutheran reforms within his lands. Wolfgang reorganized his government, codified legal codes, and founded schools to educate his subjects. He navigated the complex politics of the Holy Roman Empire, forging alliances with other Protestant princes. Wolfgang married Anna of Hesse, ensuring dynastic continuity through their children. His careful stewardship left a lasting impact on the religious and civic life of Zweibrücken before his death in 1569.

Sébastien Leclerc was born in Rouen in 1637 and later moved to Paris, where he honed his skills under the royal patronage of Louis XIV. He became renowned for his precise engravings and paintings depicting religious, historical, and mythological scenes. Appointed Engraver to the King, Leclerc produced works for official publications and court decorations. His treatises on perspective and geometry influenced both artists and architects, blending artistic finesse with scientific rigor. He joined the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, contributing to its rise as a leading artistic institution. Leclerc's works were widely circulated across Europe, cementing his reputation as a master of Baroque art.

Nehemiah Grew was born in 1641 and educated at Leiden and Oxford, earning his medical degree in 1671. Fascinated by the structure of plants, he employed early microscopes to study roots, stems, leaves, and pollen grains. In 1682, he published 'The Anatomy of Plants,' a landmark work that established plant histology as a scientific discipline. Grew introduced anatomical terms still in use today and compared plant tissues to animal structures. He presented his findings to the Royal Society and contributed papers on human anatomy and glandular systems. Grew's meticulous observations and detailed illustrations laid the groundwork for modern botany and physiology.

Francis Daniel Pastorius was born in 1651 in Sommerhausen, Germany, and trained as a lawyer at Altdorf near Nuremberg. In 1683, he led a group of German and Swiss immigrants to Pennsylvania and established the town of Germantown on land purchased from William Penn. As burgomaster, Pastorius organized the community's civic institutions, promoting education, trade, and social welfare. He is credited with drafting the first written protest against slavery in the American colonies in 1688. Pastorius also pursued scientific interests, collecting plant specimens and documenting local bird species. Despite facing financial and administrative challenges under William Penn's provincial government, he remained a key figure in Germantown until his death in 1720, leaving a legacy of religious tolerance and civic engagement.

Born in 1660 into the Piast dynasty, George William became Duke of Legnica (Liegnitz) at the age of 12 under a regency government. His reign was marked by efforts to preserve the duchy's autonomy amid pressure from neighboring powers such as Brandenburg and Bohemia. Although his youth limited his direct influence, his regents worked to maintain the local traditions and administrative structures. George William's unexpected death in 1675 at the age of 15 without heirs brought an end to the Piast male line in Silesia. The duchy was subsequently absorbed into Habsburg and later Prussian territories. His brief rule symbolizes the final chapter of native Piast rule in the region.

William Cavendish was born in 1698 into the influential Cavendish family and educated at Cambridge University. Upon succeeding his father in 1729, he became the 3rd Duke of Devonshire and assumed several high offices, including Lord President of the Council. A committed Whig, he supported the Hanoverian succession and worked closely with Sir Robert Walpole's administration. Cavendish was also a patron of the arts, commissioning renovations to Chatsworth House and other family estates. He was invested as a Knight of the Garter and played a role in court politics under King George II. His patronage of the arts and reforms in regional governance left a lasting impact on 18th-century Britain.

Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple (1711–1779), was an influential English politician and member of the prominent Grenville family. He served twice as First Lord of the Admiralty, overseeing naval administration during a critical period of maritime expansion. A key ally and brother-in-law to Prime Minister George Grenville, he played a vital role in shaping British policy in the American colonies. Known for his sharp wit and keen political instinct, Temple was involved in high-stakes parliamentary debates and court intrigues. Despite his aristocratic background, he maintained a reputation for competence and integrity in public service.

Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood (1750–1810), was a distinguished officer of the Royal Navy and close contemporary of Admiral Horatio Nelson. He served with valor in the American War of Independence and later commanded the Mediterranean fleet. At the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Collingwood took command after Nelson’s death and secured a decisive victory against the combined Franco-Spanish fleet. Elevated to the peerage as Baron Collingwood, he continued to influence naval tactics and strategy. Celebrated for his calm demeanor and tactical acumen, Collingwood’s legacy endures in naval history and lore.