November 21

Born in 543 in Leinster, he trained under St. Comgall at Bangor Abbey. In 590, he led 12 disciples to Gaul, founding monasteries at Annegray, Luxeuil, and Fontaines. His strict Rule emphasized asceticism and learning, challenging church corruption. Later he traveled through the Alps to Italy, where he founded Bobbio Abbey as a center of scholarship. He wrote letters and treatises that influenced European monastic reforms. Columbanus died in 615 at Bobbio, was later canonized, and his legacy endures in medieval monasticism.

Born in 853 in the region of Tahama, he became a leading Hanafite jurist. He authored the influential creed Al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyah, a cornerstone of Sunni doctrine. His scholarship spanned hadith studies and legal theory, earning him respect among later theologians. He taught in Egypt and Medina, where his lectures attracted students from across the Muslim world. Al-Tahawi's reliable transmission of hadith and clear legal reasoning set standards for future generations. He died in 933 in Medina, and his works remain key texts in Islamic education.

Born in 950 as the third son of Emperor Murakami. He ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 967 at age 17. Reizei's reign was dominated by Fujiwara clan regents and his ill health limited his political role. He abdicated in 969 in favor of his brother, Emperor En'yu, becoming a cloistered emperor. In retirement, he continued to reside in the Kyoto palace and pursued religious studies. He died in 1011, remembered for a brief reign that reflected the power dynamics of the Heian court.

Born around 1070 in Corbeil, France, he became a monk at Saint-Martin-des-Champs. He rose within the English church, serving as prior of Ely before his appointment to Canterbury in 1123. As archbishop, he implemented administrative reforms and asserted church rights in disputes with King Henry I. In 1135, he crowned Stephen of Blois, influencing the political landscape of England. He convened synods to enforce clerical discipline and enhance ecclesiastical organization. William de Corbeil died in 1136, leaving a legacy of strengthened church governance in 12th-century England.

Born in 1112 into the Jiménez dynasty, he was initially lord of Monzón. He ascended the throne in 1134, working to free Navarre from Aragonese suzerainty. Through alliances and military campaigns, he secured Navarre's autonomy and strengthened royal authority. He promoted the settlement of towns and the codification of laws to modernize the kingdom. His marriage alliances extended Navarre's influence across the Pyrenees. García Ramírez died in 1150, remembered as 'the Restorer' for reviving Navarre's sovereignty.

Born into the Rurikid dynasty, he became Prince of Moscow in 1303. He maneuvered through Mongol politics to secure the Khan's favor and was granted the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir in 1318. Yury consolidated territories and established Moscow's precedence among Russian principalities. He fortified Moscow's defenses and promoted economic development through trade privileges. His rivalry with the princes of Tver shaped the early Muscovite ascendancy. Yury of Moscow died in 1325, setting the stage for Moscow's later dominance in northeastern Rus'.

Born in 1346 to the Capetian line, he inherited the duchy as a child. He became Duke of Burgundy at age one after his mother's death. His reign saw the loss of territorial influence due to his minority and the challenges of regency. Philip also held the titles Count of Auvergne and Boulogne, expanding ducal domains. He died unexpectedly in 1361 at just 15, ending the Capetian male line in Burgundy. His death led to the duchy passing to the Valois-Burgundy branch under King John II of France.

Born in 1490 in Glauchau, Saxony, he studied at Leipzig and the University of Bologna. Agricola served as a town physician before dedicating himself to mineralogy and philology. His landmark publication De re metallica (1556) systematically described mining practices, equipment, and ore processing. The work combined empirical observations with detailed illustrations, laying the foundation for modern metallurgy. He also authored books on minerals, Greek and Roman literature, and hydrology. Agricola died in 1555 in Chemnitz; his meticulous research earned him lasting acclaim in the history of science.

Born in 1507 in Civitanova Marche, he became a secretary at the court of the Farnese family. Caro gained fame for his amorous and satirical verse, including the celebrated poem De la mamma. His Italian prose translation of Virgil's Aeneid (1561) was acclaimed for its clarity and fidelity. He served Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, producing diplomatic letters that showcase his literary style. Caro also wrote tragedies, epigrams, and philosophical dialogues reflecting Renaissance humanism. He died in 1566 in Rome, remembered as one of 16th-century Italy's most refined literary voices.

Born in 1519 in London to a family of prosperous merchants. He conducted extensive trade in Antwerp, gaining expertise in international finance. Gresham served as financial agent and adviser to King Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth I. In 1565, he established the Royal Exchange, providing a central hub for London's merchants. He is credited with formulating Gresham's Law on currency circulation. Gresham died in 1579, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of modern financial infrastructure.

Born in 1583 into a prominent aristocratic family, Henry Grey assumed the earldom early in the 17th century. He inherited estates and titles that placed him among the kingdom's leading peers. Appointed as Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, he managed the county's militia and acted as the crown's principal representative. His role required balancing the interests of local gentry with the expectations of Charles I's court. Grey was also a patron of charitable projects and educational endeavors within his domain. He died on November 21, 1639, and his legacy continued through his successors and their contributions to regional governance.

Jan Brożek (1585–1652) was a Polish polymath whose work spanned mathematics, medicine, and astronomy. He studied at the Kraków Academy and later became a professor of mathematics. His mathematical treatises explored number theory, geometry, and the properties of curves. As an astronomer, he conducted observations that refined calendars and celestial maps. In medicine, he served as a physician, publishing works on anatomy and clinical practice. Brożek's interdisciplinary scholarship laid foundations for scientific inquiry in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.