Dante Alighieri’s courtly love for Beatrice
On this day in 1265 Italian poet Dante Alighieri was born in Florence. Dante’s family were caught up in the fighting between various factions at... Read More
John Meade Falkner, war weapons manufacturer and novelist
On this day in 1858 the English author and businessman John Meade Falkner was born. Apart from writing the much loved novel Moonfleet and several... Read More
Robert Browning finds the Pied Piper of Hamelin
On this day in 1812 English poet Robert Browning was born. He was brought up by strict but loving parents and well educated – by... Read More
Rabindranath Tagore gives up his knighthood in protest
On this day in 1861 the Bengali poet, artist and writer Rabindranath Tagore was born. His family were Brahmin landowners and Tagore spent time travelling... Read More
Karl Marx played the stock market
On this day in 1818 the political economist and philosopher Karl Marx was born in Germany. Reportedly a jovial companion and a loving husband and... Read More
Mahatma Gandhi meets King Edward VII dressed in a loincloth
On this day in 1930 Indian politician, lawyer and writer Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned by the British. It was not the first or the last... Read More
Niccolo Machiavelli puts realism into politics
On this day in 1469 Italian writer and politician Niccolo Machiavelli was born. In the turbulent times of the Renaissance, Machiavelli gained personal experience in... Read More