June 15

Richard Grenville was born in 1542 into a prominent Devonshire family and embarked on his naval career under the patronage of Sir Walter Raleigh. He commanded voyages to the New World, seeking to establish English colonies and trade routes in North America. In 1585, he played a key role in the unsuccessful Roanoke Colony expedition. Grenville later earned distinction during the Spanish Armada campaign of 1588, where he captained the Revenge in a legendary rearguard action. His fierce last stand against overwhelming Spanish forces became a celebrated example of English naval courage. He died in battle off the Azores in 1591, solidifying his reputation as one of the era’s most daring maritime figures.

Born in Scotland in 1792, Thomas Mitchell served in the British Army before becoming Surveyor General of New South Wales. Between 1836 and 1838, he led major expeditions that mapped vast regions of Victoria and the Darling River basin. His detailed surveys and maps provided critical knowledge for colonial settlement and development. Mitchell's reports combined scientific observation with vivid writing, influencing public interest in Australia's interior. He died in Sydney in 1855, leaving a legacy as one of the continent's pioneering explorers.