November 29

Andrés Bello was a Venezuelan poet, philosopher, and educator who became one of the most influential intellectuals in Spanish America. He authored enduring works of poetry and grammar, including the renowned 'Gramática de la lengua castellana destinada al uso de los americanos'. As a jurist and statesman, he played a key role in drafting Chile's civil code, guiding its legal framework for generations. Bello's multidisciplinary contributions spanned literature, linguistics, philosophy, and law, cementing his legacy as a founding figure of Hispanic American thought. He served as a professor at the University of Chile, shaping future leaders of the nation.

Amos Bronson Alcott was an American transcendentalist philosopher, educator, and reformer. He founded experimental schools and promoted progressive educational methods emphasizing dialogue and moral development. Alcott was a close associate of Ralph Waldo Emerson and other leading transcendentalists of his era. His utopian community at Fruitlands reflected his commitment to communal living and social reform, despite its brief existence. As the father of Louisa May Alcott, he nurtured a literary family that left a lasting mark on American letters.