February 14

Born in Genoa, Italy in 1404, he emerged as a leading humanist of the Renaissance. Alberti wrote seminal treatises on architecture and painting that influenced generations of artists. His work 'De re aedificatoria' was the first modern book on architecture. He excelled as a poet and studied classical literature to revive ancient ideals. As a philosopher, he explored ethics, aesthetics, and the nature of beauty. Alberti's vision of the ideal city blended harmony, proportion, and innovation. He also practiced as a skilled architect and designed notable buildings in Florence. His interdisciplinary approach epitomized the Renaissance ideal of the universal man.

Born in 1614 in Wiltshire, Wilkins studied at Oxford and embraced the new science movement. He became one of the first secretaries of the Royal Society, promoting experimental research. Wilkins authored the 'Mathematical Magic,' exploring scientific instruments and cryptography. As Bishop of Chester, he balanced his clerical duties with advocacy for scientific inquiry. He wrote on linguistics, proposing a universal language to bridge cultural divides. Wilkins' ideas on space travel and technology were centuries ahead of his time. He died in 1672, remembered as a pioneer who shaped the early Enlightenment in England.

Max Horkheimer co-founded the Institute for Social Research in 1923 and became its director, shaping the Frankfurt School. His collaboration with Theodor Adorno produced foundational works like 'Dialectic of Enlightenment', critiquing modern society. Horkheimer's 'Eclipse of Reason' and other writings examined the relationship between reason, capitalism, and culture. Fleeing Nazi Germany in 1934, he taught and conducted research in the United States before returning after World War II. As a philosopher and sociologist, he blended empirical research with theoretical critique to analyze social structures. His legacy endures in fields ranging from sociology and philosophy to cultural studies and critical pedagogy.