December 28

Nicholas Bacon was born in 1510 into a prominent English family and trained in law at Gray's Inn. He rose to become Queen Elizabeth I’s first Lord Keeper of the Great Seal in 1558. As a leading legal authority, he played a key role in shaping Tudor governance. Bacon also served as a Member of Parliament and championed Protestant reforms. He was father to the philosopher Francis Bacon and established a legacy in law and politics. He died in 1579, leaving an enduring impact on the Elizabethan legal system.

Charles Cornwallis, 3rd Baron Cornwallis, was born in 1655 into a distinguished aristocratic family. He held the office of Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, representing royal authority in the county. Cornwallis also served as a member of the English Parliament and was involved in regional governance. His tenure saw the stabilization of local administration following the Glorious Revolution. Known for his loyalty to the Crown, he maintained his family’s influence in East Anglia. He died in 1698, remembered as a capable regional governor and nobleman.

George FitzRoy was born in 1665 as an illegitimate son of King Charles II and Barbara Villiers. He was granted the title Duke of Northumberland in 1683 and held several military commands. As a general, he served in conflicts against the Dutch during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. FitzRoy also acted as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, overseeing the county’s militia. He sat in the House of Lords and maintained royal favor throughout his career. He died in 1716, remembered for his dual roles in military and political spheres.

Born in 1856 in Staunton, Virginia, Woodrow Wilson earned a Ph.D. in political science at Johns Hopkins University. He served as president of Princeton University and then as Governor of New Jersey before winning the U.S. presidency in 1912. Wilson guided the United States through World War I and played a key role in drafting the Treaty of Versailles. He was the principal architect of the League of Nations, advocating for a new system of international cooperation. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919, his progressive reforms also reshaped American political and social institutions. Despite later controversies, his vision for collective security influenced global diplomacy for decades.

Ellis Emanuel Innocent Clarke was born in 1917 and served as the last Governor-General of Trinidad and Tobago before becoming its first President in 1976. He played a key role in the country's transition to a republic and helped draft its constitution. Clarke enjoyed a long career in public service, including roles as Attorney General and Foreign Minister. His presidency lasted until 1987, during which he focused on national unity and diplomatic relations. After his retirement, he remained an influential advisor and statesman until his passing in 2010.

Lionel Frost Bowen was born in 1922 and entered politics via local government before winning a federal seat in 1969. He served as Minister for Manufacturing Industry, Minister for Administrative Services, and Attorney-General before becoming Deputy Prime Minister in 1983. Bowen was known for his pragmatic approach and effective negotiation skills within the Labor Party. He helped guide major reforms in public administration, environmental protection, and infrastructure development. After leaving politics in 1990, he continued to contribute to legal education and community organizations. He died in 2012, remembered as a stabilizing force in Australian government.

Girma Wolde-Giorgis was born in 1924 and began his career in aviation before entering politics and civil service. He was elected to the Ethiopian Parliament in 1969 and held various leadership roles, including Speaker of the House. In 2001, he became the third President of Ethiopia, serving three terms in a largely ceremonial but unifying role. Girma focused on environmental conservation, rural development, and strengthening democratic institutions. He worked to promote peace and cooperation among Ethiopia's diverse communities during periods of political change. After leaving office in 2013, he remained an elder statesman until his death in 2018.

Born in 1925, Milton Obote trained as an engineer before entering politics in the 1950s. He became Prime Minister at Uganda’s independence in 1962 and declared himself President after a 1966 constitutional crisis. Obote’s leadership included nationalization programs and attempts to unify regional factions but also faced accusations of authoritarianism. He was overthrown in 1971 by Idi Amin, spent years in exile, and returned to power after Amin’s fall in 1979. His second presidency (1980–1985) was marked by civil unrest and economic challenges. Obote’s complex legacy includes both nation-building initiatives and human rights controversies.

Roy Hattersley was born in Sheffield in 1932 and entered Parliament as the MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook in 1964. He rose to prominence as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992 under Neil Kinnock. As Shadow Home Secretary, he championed civil liberties and criminal justice reform. Hattersley is also an accomplished author and journalist, writing political biographies and columns for national newspapers. His diaries provide insight into British politics during the Thatcher era. After leaving frontline politics, he was elevated to the House of Lords and remained an influential voice on social and political issues.

John Y. Brown Jr. was born in 1933 in Lexington, Kentucky. After graduating from law school, he served in the U.S. Army and later transformed Kentucky Fried Chicken from a single outlet into a global franchise empire. Brown was elected governor in 1979, focusing on economic development, tourism, and government reform during his term (1979–83). He famously traded his gubernatorial mansion for better office space to make a political point. Following his term, he sold his KFC holdings and owned professional basketball teams, including the Kentucky Colonels. A philanthropist and businessman, Brown remained an influential figure in Kentucky until his passing in 2022.

Born in 1940 in Kerala, A. K. Antony began his career as a practicing lawyer before joining the Indian National Congress. He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly, earning a reputation for integrity and principled leadership. Antony served as India's Defence Minister in the late 1990s and again from 2006 to 2014, overseeing modernization programs for the armed forces. He emphasized transparency and accountability in defense procurement, strengthening national security. Known for his low-profile style and ethical governance, he garnered respect across political lines. Antony also championed social welfare and legal reforms in his home state of Kerala. His contributions to public service reflect a commitment to the democratic and non-violent principles of governance.