October 02

Born at Fotheringhay Castle in 1452, he was the second son of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, and Cecily Neville. He became King of England in 1483 after the death of his brother Edward IV amid controversy over his nephews' fate. His reign focused on legal reforms and strengthening royal authority during the Wars of the Roses. He was killed in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field, ending the Plantagenet dynasty and ushering in Tudor rule. Shakespeare's 'Richard III' immortalized him as a cunning and tragic figure, shaping his legacy for centuries.

Born in 1470 as the eldest daughter of the Catholic Monarchs, she was betrothed to Portuguese royalty to secure a dynastic union. Her marriage furthered ties between Castile and Portugal as both kingdoms embarked on maritime exploration. As a princess at the Portuguese court, she supported charitable works and promoted religious devotion. Her early death in 1498 at age 28 limited her direct political influence but underscored the risks of dynastic marriages. Her life illustrates the diplomatic power of royal alliances in late 15th-century Europe.

Born in 1527 into a prominent Norfolk family, Drury embarked on a career in law and public service. He represented Norfolk in the English Parliament and gained a reputation as an effective legislator. In 1573, he was appointed Lord President of Munster, overseeing the enforcement of English rule in Ireland. His administration focused on implementing legal reforms and managing conflicts with local Irish lords. Drury died in 1579, leaving a legacy as a bridge between English and Irish governance.

Born in 1538 into the noble Borromeo family, Charles studied canon law at the universities of Pavia and Bologna. Elevated to cardinal by his uncle Pope Pius IV, he became Archbishop of Milan in 1564 and passionately implemented the decrees of the Council of Trent. He founded seminaries to improve clerical training and authored spiritual works aimed at deepening the faith of priests and laity. During the plague of Milan in 1576, he organized relief efforts and personally tended to the sick, earning widespread admiration. Canonized in 1610, his reforms and pastoral zeal left a lasting impact on the Catholic Church.

Born in 1718 to a prosperous Yorkshire family, Montagu inherited a fortune that enabled her to patronize writers and charitable causes. She founded the Blue Stockings Society, bringing together leading thinkers and artists in her London salons. Montagu published influential essays defending female education and promoting moral literature for the improvement of society. She established a school for poor girls and supported numerous philanthropic initiatives, reflecting her commitment to social welfare. Known as the 'Queen of the Bluestockings', her legacy endures in the history of women's intellectual empowerment.

Born in 1768 into an Anglo-Irish family, Beresford entered the British Army in 1783 and quickly distinguished himself as a capable officer. He served under the Duke of Wellington, commanding Portuguese forces at key battles such as Bussaco and Albuera. For his service, he was created Viscount Beresford in 1814 and later sat in the British Parliament as MP for Westminster. As Governor of Jersey, he oversaw the island's defenses and civil administration, earning respect for his leadership. He died in 1854, leaving a reputation for military skill and public service.

Born in Turin in 1798, Charles Albert ascended to the throne of Sardinia in 1831 after the death of his cousin. He introduced moderate liberal reforms, culminating in the Albertine Statute of 1848, which established a constitutional monarchy. He sympathized with Italian nationalist movements and declared war on Austria in 1848, initiating the First Italian War of Independence. After suffering defeats, he abdicated in favor of his son, Victor Emmanuel II, in 1849 and lived his final years in exile. His reign set the stage for the eventual unification of Italy under his successor.

Born into slavery in Virginia in 1800, Turner developed a reputation as a spiritual leader among his fellow enslaved people. Believing he received divine visions, he organized and led a revolt in August 1831 that resulted in the deaths of dozens of white settlers. The rebellion was suppressed within days, and Turner was captured, tried, and executed later that year. His actions provoked widespread fear in the South and led to harsher slave laws, while inspiring abolitionists in the North. Turner's legacy remains a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression.

Born in Ireland in 1815, Agnew emigrated to Tasmania where he studied law and became a barrister. He was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly and held key portfolios including Attorney-General and Treasurer. In 1886, he served as Premier of Tasmania, focusing on railway expansion and economic development. After his premiership, he continued to influence local governance through legislative work and legal practice. He died in 1901, remembered for his dedication to the political and social progress of Tasmania.

Born in Tennessee in 1821, Stewart graduated from West Point in 1843 and fought in the Mexican-American War. Upon Tennessee's secession, he joined the Confederate Army, rising to lieutenant general in the Army of Tennessee. He led a corps at battles including Stones River, Chickamauga, and the Atlanta Campaign, earning a reputation for tactical skill. After surrendering in 1865, he worked as a civil engineer on railroad projects and later taught engineering at the University of Tennessee. He served as State Treasurer of Tennessee and remained active in veterans' affairs until his death in 1908.

Charles Floquet was a prominent figure in the French Third Republic and a key leader of the Opportunist Republicans. He began his career as a lawyer and gained a reputation fighting corruption and defending press freedom. Floquet served as Deputy and briefly held the office of President of the Chamber of Deputies before becoming Prime Minister in 1888. His tenure focused on social reforms, secular education, and strengthening republican institutions. He played a significant role in the events leading up to the exclusion of General Boulanger and the stabilization of French democracy.

Edward Burnett Tylor introduced the concept of culture as a fundamental human institution in his landmark work "Primitive Culture". He developed the theory of animism as the earliest form of religion and emphasized comparative methods in anthropology. Tylor served as the first professor of anthropology at Oxford University and helped establish anthropology as an academic discipline. His ideas on cultural evolution influenced many later scholars and laid the groundwork for modern social science research. Tylor's cross-cultural studies on belief systems and social organization remain influential today.