November 16

Jack Sheppard (1702-1724) was an infamous English criminal famed for his repeated escapes from prison. His audacious breakouts and bold robberies made him a folk hero among London's poor. Sheppard's life story was sensationalized in pamphlets, plays, and novels, influencing popular literature. He was eventually recaptured and executed at Tyburn, drawing huge crowds to his public hanging. His legend endured long after his death and inspired works by writers such as Bertolt Brecht and William Harrison Ainsworth.

Moses Cleaveland (1754-1806) was an American general in the Revolutionary War and later a lawyer and land surveyor. In 1796, he led the surveying party that laid out the plans for a settlement on the Cuyahoga River, naming it Cleveland. Cleaveland's grid plan and land sales attracted settlers, and the town quickly grew as a port on Lake Erie. Although he left the settlement soon after its founding, his vision set the stage for Cleveland's development into a major city. His legacy endures in the city's name and the early civic institutions he helped establish.

Princess Marie of Hesse and by Rhine was born in 1874 as the daughter of Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse and Princess Alice. As a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, she was closely connected to European royalty. Despite her noble birth, she lived a quiet life at the family’s Darmstadt court. In 1878, tragedy struck when she contracted diphtheria during an outbreak. At only four years old, she succumbed to the disease, devastating her family. Her death highlighted the vulnerability of even high society to childhood illnesses in the 19th century. She was interred in the Rosenhöhe Park mausoleum alongside other members of her family. Though her life was brief, she remains a poignant figure in the history of Hesse.

Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine was born in 1895 as the eldest child of Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig and Grand Duchess Eleonore. She grew up in the family's Darmstadt palace under the influence of her naval and royal heritage. In 1903, at the age of eight, she fell ill during a typhoid epidemic. Despite the care of palace physicians, she succumbed to the disease, devastating her parents and siblings. Her early death underscored the risks of infectious diseases even within royal circles at the turn of the century. Elisabeth was buried in the Rosenhöhe Park mausoleum alongside members of the Hesse family. Though her life was short, her loss had a lasting impact on the Grand Ducal household and its public perception.

Robert Holbrook Smith earned his medical degree from Boston University and practiced surgery before confronting his own struggles with alcoholism. After achieving sobriety in 1933, he partnered with Bill Wilson to develop the Twelve-Step program that became the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous. Smith traveled extensively to establish new AA chapters, offering personal guidance and support to those seeking recovery. He co-authored the first edition of The Big Book, which laid out AA’s principles and methodology. Smith’s medical background lent credibility to the organization during its formative years. His advocacy for peer-led mutual aid transformed approaches to addiction treatment worldwide. By the time of his death in 1950, AA had grown into a global fellowship helping thousands maintain sobriety.

Donald Watson was born in 1910 in England. After witnessing the suffering of farm animals, he embraced a plant-based lifestyle and coined the term 'vegan' in 1944. He co-founded the Vegan Society that year to promote a lifestyle free from animal products. As editor of the society's magazine The Vegan, he spread ideas about health, ethics, and environmentalism. Watson's leadership laid the foundations for the modern vegan movement worldwide. He continued to advocate for animal welfare and environmental causes throughout his life. Watson remained active in the movement until his death in 2005 at the age of 95.

Sergei Magnitsky was a Russian accountant and lawyer who investigated large-scale tax fraud involving high-ranking officials. Employed by the investment firm Hermitage Capital, he uncovered evidence of embezzlement and corruption worth millions of dollars. After reporting his findings, Magnitsky was arrested and held in pre-trial detention in 2008. He died under suspicious circumstances in a Moscow prison in 2009, reportedly due to severe mistreatment and denied medical care. His death sparked global outrage and led to the enactment of the Magnitsky Act in the United States. This landmark legislation imposed sanctions on individuals implicated in human rights abuses and has been adopted by other countries. Magnitsky's legacy continues to influence campaigns for justice and anti-corruption efforts worldwide.

Ronni Chasen was a veteran Hollywood publicist known for her work with major studios and A-list actors. She founded her own publicity firm and became one of the most sought-after public relations professionals in the film industry. Chasen represented blockbuster movies and renowned celebrities, earning a reputation for her strategic media campaigns and industry connections. Known for her warm personality and fierce advocacy for her clients, she played a key role in promoting some of the biggest films of her time. Her career spanned over 40 years, during which she collaborated on multiple Oscar-winning projects. Chasen's unexpected death in 2010 shocked the entertainment community and highlighted issues of safety for public figures. She is remembered as a trailblazer for women in entertainment publicity.

Robert Conley (1928–2013) was an American journalist known for his insightful reporting. He contributed to various national newspapers and magazines over several decades. Conley's work delved into politics, social issues, and underreported stories across the country. He was respected for his integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to journalistic ethics. Colleagues praised his ability to connect with sources and present complex topics clearly. Through his investigative articles, he influenced public discourse and policy debates. Conley's legacy is one of professionalism and dedication in American journalism.

Born in Warsaw in 1920, Jadwiga Piłsudska escaped German-occupied Poland to join the British Air Transport Auxiliary during WWII. As one of the first female pilots in the ATA, she ferried military aircraft across the UK, demonstrating skill and bravery. After the war, she studied architecture in London and returned to Poland, contributing to modernist housing projects. Piłsudska balanced her pioneering wartime service with a successful architectural career, leaving an impact on both fields. She passed away in 2014 at the age of 94, remembered as a trailblazer in aviation and design.

Jyrki Kasvi was a Finnish journalist, computer scientist, and Green League politician who championed technology policy and civil liberties.\nHe served in the Finnish Parliament from 2003 to 2011 and 2015 to 2019, focusing on data protection, internet governance, and innovation.\nBefore politics, Kasvi worked as a technology columnist and researcher, authoring books on computing and digital culture.\nHe co-founded the Finnish Green Web and advocated for open government and transparency.\nDiagnosed with cancer in 2006, he became a prominent voice on healthcare policy and patient rights.\nKasvi's career bridged journalism, academia, and politics, leaving a lasting impact on Finland's digital landscape.