February 16

Born in 1222 in the Chiba region, Nichiren was a Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Nichiren school of Buddhism. He emphasized the chanting of the Lotus Sutra's title, 'Nam-myoho-renge-kyo', as the sole means to attain enlightenment. His teachings challenged existing Buddhist institutions and led to conflict with the government and other sects. Despite persecution, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and established a network of followers. Nichiren's doctrinal innovations and call to social reform had a lasting impact on Japanese Buddhism. His legacy endures through various Nichiren Buddhist organizations that continue to practice his methods.

Born in Sheffield, Sharp was educated at Christ Church, Oxford, and gained prominence for his scholarly talents. He served as Dean of Canterbury and later as Bishop of Bristol before his appointment as Archbishop of York in 1691. Sharp was celebrated for his pastoral care, charitable initiatives, and efforts to reconcile parties within the Church. He delivered notable sermons before the royal court, which were published and widely read. His moderate theological stance and administrative skill helped stabilize the Church of England after the Glorious Revolution. Sharp’s leadership left a lasting influence on Anglican practice and governance.

John Galbraith Graham was an English Anglican priest and university lecturer best known under the pseudonym 'Araucaria' as a prolific crossword setter. Born in 1921, he studied at Cambridge University before taking holy orders and teaching Latin and English literature. In 1958, he began creating cryptic crosswords for The Guardian, eventually compiling over 6,000 puzzles. His inventive clues and playful wordplay earned him a devoted following among enthusiasts. Graham also published collections of his puzzles and contributed to various newspapers for over five decades. He passed away in 2013, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of British crosswords.