March 07

Born in Glengyle, Rob Roy MacGregor became a symbol of Scottish resistance after participating in the Jacobite rising of 1715. Declared an outlaw following debts and clan conflicts, he gained fame for cattle raids and daring escapes. His exploits were widely publicized, blending fact and legend in stories of honor and rebellion. He received a royal pardon in 1722 but remained a popular folk figure whose life inspired literature and film. Rob Roy's legacy endures as an icon of Highland culture and resistance to authority.

Cecilie Thoresen Krog was a leading Norwegian women's rights activist and the first woman to matriculate at a Norwegian university. She campaigned for women's access to higher education and professional careers during the late 19th century. Krog co-founded the Norwegian Association for Women's Rights in 1884 and served on its executive board. Her advocacy extended to voting rights and social reforms benefiting women and children. She lectured widely, inspiring a generation of women to pursue academic and public service roles. Krog's efforts paved the way for gender equality in education and influenced women's movements across Scandinavia.

William Leonard Laurence was a pioneering science journalist for The New York Times. He was the first to report on the atomic bombing of Hiroshima from the American side, embedding with military units. Laurence coined the term 'atomic age' and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1946 for his coverage. His articles translated complex scientific developments into accessible narratives for the public. Laurence's work shaped early public understanding of nuclear energy and weapons during and after World War II.

Dorothy Mathilde de Rothschild dedicated her life to philanthropy and support for Jewish communities worldwide. A member of the prominent Rothschild banking family, she funded educational initiatives, cultural institutions, and refugee aid efforts. As president of the Jewish Board of Guardians, she played a key role in assisting Holocaust survivors. Dorothy also supported the establishment of the State of Israel and Jewish diaspora organizations. Her leadership and generosity left a lasting impact on humanitarian and Jewish communal life.

Born in 1945, Bob Herbert began his journalistic career as editorial page editor for the New York Daily News. In 1993, he joined The New York Times where his weekly op-ed columns explored issues of race, poverty, and political accountability. Herbert's clear-eyed analyses and empathetic storytelling earned him national recognition. He has authored books examining urban policy and social inequality. Throughout his career, he championed civil rights and economic justice, influencing public debate.

Born in Nottingham, England, Harris began his career as a financial journalist before serving as a political correspondent in Brussels. His breakthrough novel, Fatherland (1992), imagined a Nazi victory in World War II and became an international bestseller. He has written numerous works, including Enigma, Pompeii, and The Ghost Writer, several of which have been adapted for film. Harris is praised for his meticulous research and suspenseful narratives that bring history to life. He served as president of the Crime Writers’ Association and has won multiple literary awards. His novels have been translated into over forty languages, selling millions of copies worldwide.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Bass published his first collection, The Ninemile Wolves (1988), earning praise for his vivid nature writing. His bestseller, Winter: Notes from Montana (1993), combined memoir and environmental advocacy. Bass has written numerous fiction and non-fiction works focusing on ecology, wildlife, and human interaction with nature. He founded the nonprofit organization CEP (Conservationists in the Pink) to promote environmental conservation. His work has won awards such as the PEN USA Award and the Guggenheim Fellowship. Bass continues to write and speak on conservation issues, inspiring readers to protect the natural world.