October 01

Gaius Sallustius Crispus, known as Sallust (86 BC–?), was a Roman historian and politician. He served as quaestor and governor in North Africa. He authored key historical monographs including Bellum Jugurthinum and Catilinae Coniuratio. His works combined personal insight and moral analysis, pioneering a concise and pointed style. Sallust critiqued the corruption and moral decline of the late Republic. His influence endured through medieval and Renaissance scholarship.

Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander (reigned AD 222–235) was the last emperor of the Severan dynasty. Ascending to the throne at age 13, he was guided by his mother Julia Mamaea and tutor. He reformed the legal system, reducing capital punishments and improving bureaucracy. A patron of philosophy and literature, he welcomed intellectuals to his court. His reign saw relative peace, though he faced pressure from Germanic tribes and internal military dissent. Ultimately, he was assassinated by mutinous soldiers, marking the end of the Severan line.

Henry III (1207–1272) ascended the throne at age nine upon his father King John's death. His 56-year reign was marked by conflict with his barons, leading to the Provisions of Oxford and ensuing civil unrest. A devout king, he invested heavily in church and monastic construction, including Westminster Abbey's rebuilding. His inclination towards French courtiers and extravagant spending fueled baronial discontent. Despite political turmoil, his later years saw a restoration of royal authority and administrative reform. Henry's reign left a legacy of architectural achievements and the evolution of English parliamentary principles.

Guy XVI (1476–1531) was the 16th Count of Laval, a principality in northwestern France. He inherited the title at a young age and managed his estates through periods of political unrest. Aligning with the French crown, he supported King Francis I in his Italian campaigns. Guy XVI oversaw the administration of justice and the development of Laval’s infrastructure, including fortifications. A patron of the arts, he commissioned architectural works in his domains. His leadership helped maintain the autonomy and prosperity of his county during the Renaissance era.

Gaetano dei Conti di Thiene (1480–1547), known as Saint Cajetan, was an Italian priest and religious reformer. He co-founded the Theatine Order in 1524 to revive clerical discipline and spiritual devotion. Renowned for his charity during plague outbreaks and wars, he organized relief efforts for the sick and poor. A close collaborator of Cardinal Carafa (later Pope Paul IV), he opposed clerical corruption and advocated for ecclesiastical reform. His writings on Christian piety influenced later Counter-Reformation movements. Canonized in 1671, Saint Cajetan remains a patron of job seekers and the unemployed.

Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola (1507–1573) was a leading Italian architect of the High Renaissance. He designed the façade of the Church of the Gesù, the mother church of the Jesuits, blending classical symmetry with Baroque innovation. His treatise, Regola delli cinque ordini d'architettura, became a fundamental text on classical architecture, studied for centuries. Serving prominent patrons including Cardinal Farnese, Vignola worked on palaces, villas, and fortifications across Italy. His refined proportions and harmonious designs influenced architects well into the Baroque period. Vignola’s legacy endures through his built works and his systematic codification of architectural orders.

Dorothy Stafford (1526–1604) was an English aristocrat who held positions at the royal court under Mary I, Elizabeth I, and Anne of Denmark. Daughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, she skillfully navigated Tudor politics. Appointed Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth I in 1559, she became a key figure in the queen’s household. Dorothy used her influence to protect Protestant exiles and advance charitable causes. Her correspondence and patronage of religious reformers highlight her role in the Elizabethan court. Remembered for her loyalty and diplomatic acumen, Stafford’s life reflects the complexities of Tudor noble service.

Johann Jakob Grynaeus (1540–1617) was a Swiss pastor and influential Reformed theologian. Educated in Basel and Strasbourg, he became a professor of theology at the University of Basel in 1568. He edited critical editions of early Church Fathers, contributing to humanist scholarship. As a pastor in Basel, Grynaeus played a key role in organizing Reformed church structures and liturgy. He advised civic authorities on theological and educational matters, promoting Protestant ideals. His writings and academic leadership left a lasting impact on Swiss theology and Reformation studies.

Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira (1542–1595) was a Spanish navigator renowned for his Pacific voyages. In 1567, he led his first expedition and charted several Pacific islands, seeking Terra Australis. His 1595 voyage found the Solomon Islands archipelago, named after the biblical King Solomon. Mendaña’s missions combined exploration with missionary efforts, carrying priests and soldiers to spread Christianity. Despite hardships and high mortality, his voyages expanded European knowledge of the southern Pacific. He died in the Santa Cruz Islands during his return trip. Mendaña’s discoveries paved the way for later Spanish colonization in Oceania.

Anne of Saint Bartholomew (1550–1626), born Ana García Manrique, joined the Carmelite reform led by Saint Teresa of Ávila. As one of the first women to embrace the Discalced Carmelite life, she helped establish new convents across Spain and France. Known for her mystical visions and spiritual writings, she played a key role in spreading Teresa’s reforms. Anne served as prioress in multiple communities, guiding nuns with strict adherence to contemplative prayer and austerity. Her letters and autobiographical accounts offer deep insight into Carmelite spirituality. Canonized as a saint in 1970, her legacy endures in Carmelite tradition and female monasticism.

Born in Brussels in 1554, Lessius joined the Jesuit order and became a leading voice in Catholic theology. His seminal work 'De iustitia et jure' addressed moral and legal questions of his time. Lessius advocated a balanced view between moral rigor and pastoral compassion. He taught theology at several Jesuit colleges across Europe and influenced generations of theologians. His writings remain a reference in discussions of moral theology and canon law.

Born near Haarlem in 1620, Berchem became a master of Italianate landscape painting without ever visiting Italy. His works feature warm light, rolling hills, shepherds, and classical ruins. Berchem's elegant compositions influenced artists across Europe. He was a member of the Guild of Saint Luke and worked alongside other Dutch masters. His paintings are prized for their balanced harmony and luminous color palette.