April 14

Born in Lisbon in 1812, Sir George Grey was a soldier, explorer, and colonial administrator. He served as Governor of South Australia, twice Governor of New Zealand, and Governor of Cape Colony. Leveraging his experience, he became the 11th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1877 to 1879. Grey pursued policies to integrate Māori communities while promoting colonial infrastructure and education. A prolific writer, he documented his travels and observations in Africa, Australia, and the Pacific. He died in 1898, remembered as a complex figure who shaped British colonial governance.

Born in 1930, René Desmaison became one of France's most celebrated climbers. He led numerous expeditions to Himalayan peaks, establishing new routes and pushing the boundaries of high-altitude alpinism. In the French Alps and Pyrenees, he completed several challenging first ascents, inspiring a generation of climbers. Desmaison also served in leadership roles within the French Alpine Club, advocating for safety and environmental stewardship in the mountains. An accomplished author, he penned several memoirs recounting his adventures. His adventurous spirit and dedication to the mountaineering community left a lasting legacy when he passed away in 2007.

Born in 1937 in Austria, Sepp Mayerl dedicated his life to mountain exploration and alpine climbing. He tackled some of the most challenging routes in the Alps, earning a reputation for skill and determination. Mayerl guided many expeditions and shared his expertise through training programs for aspiring climbers. He helped promote mountain safety and the conservation of alpine environments. Mayerl remained active in the mountaineering community until his death in 2012.

Valentin Lebedev was born in 1942 in Moscow, Russia. He graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering and joined the Soviet space program. Lebedev flew on Soyuz spacecraft and spent extended periods aboard Salyut space stations, setting records for cumulative time in orbit. His research on human physiology in microgravity provided valuable insights into long-duration spaceflight. After retiring from flight status, he contributed to aerospace education and public outreach.