Historical figures born in February

January 2025

This month we asked our students to write about an historical
figure of note that was born in the month of February.

Constantine the Great

Cameron Madden
MSMU Class of 2028

A long time ago, born on the 27th of February, 272 AD, one of the most esteemed men in history was born. Constantine the Great, who later became the Roman Emperor from 406-337 AD, is one of the most known Romans in the public consciousness, mostly due to his association and adoption with Christianity; He was the first emperor to adopt such and lead one of the longest reigns of the empire in its history.

Happy Birthday to you Constantine! You were born in one of the most contentious times in Roman History, and despite that you rose from greatness. You were born in the East, where in your early days you were under threat from Palmyrene forces that sought to break away from Rome. Despite the danger of your childhood, you had stood strong, and for many years your early life was marked by trials that would have broken a lesser soul. Being the son of Constantius Chlorus and Helena, you experienced the political turbulence of the Tetrarchy, where four rulers tried to govern the weakened Roman Empire. You proved your mettle early on, showing that you were not just the son of a co-emperor, but a leader in your own right. Your military prowess was evident in your campaigns in Gaul, Britain, and along the Rhine, where you defended the empire's borders with skill and bravery, making your father and the empire very proud of your actions.

At 32 years old, I wonder where your mind took you in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. It was there that you reportedly saw a vision of the Christian cross, accompanied by the words "In this sign, you will conquer." I wonder if it truly was a prophetic vision, or perhaps was stirred on by thoughts of your mother, who today is known as St. Helena. Either way, it is incredible to think that after so long you were able to conquer those who stood in the way of peace in the Empire.

I also wonder, how after all of your conquests, and when you finally became the full emperor, you were able to keep your vision of prosperity so focused, rather than being blinded by power. After all, during the Edict of Milan in 313, you allowed for religious freedom across the empire, showing no envy or lustful intent in your role as emperor. After a long string of turmoil and corruption in the position, you were able to make it prestigious once more, and became the example, and archetype for what an emperor should be for the rest of the empire’s history.

Your reign had significant reforms and achievements, many of which were headed by you in an effort prosper its people. You founded the city of Constantinople, which would become the new capital of the Roman Empire and a beacon of culture and power for centuries, and for a thousand years, it would be the greatest on the continent. Your legal and administrative reforms strengthened the empire which were able to eliminate corruption (in some areas) and influence between military and civilian administration. Not only this, but you also instituted economic reform that helped put value back in Roman currency, and that would stabilize and refine the economy. One of your biggest commitments and personal goals was to build churches and support the Christian community to spread the faith th far and wide. You were a visionary who understood that the unity of the empire could be achieved through a shared religion, and I mention all of these feats not only to highlight your strengths, but to acknowledge the benefits you had across the people of your empire, and furthermore to the identity of Europe.

We can’t exactly ignore your methods of securing the position of emperor though; many rivals were put down, and consolidation of power certainly destroyed the tetrarchy system (honestly for the better.) Yet since the goal was to unify the nation so that it can be stabilized it seemed to be something that was necessary in order for you to achieve what you had. You demonstrated that faith could be a guiding principle for governance, and your example inspired generations of leaders who followed.

As we celebrate your birthday this February, we should remember not only your achievements which shaped the Western world as we know it today, but also the enduring impact of your vision. The world you helped to shape continues to feel the influence of your decisions, from the spread of Christianity to the preservation of Roman law and culture, much of which we see in our own legal systems and ways of governance. Your life is a testament to the power of conviction and the enduring impact of leadership rooted in faith and purpose and should be an inspiration for all who wish to uphold their nation’s prosperity, and all who are fit to lead.

Had you not been born, then many things like the spread of Christianity would have been either prevented, or even snuffed out, and even the survival of the empire was prolonged due to your leadership; long enough where we can still admire the strength and adaptability of the Romans. Rome reached its last golden age under you, and as your legacy continued on, those who were less fit to rule than you ultimately failed where you succeeded.

Happy Birthday, Constantine. Your legacy lives on, and your contributions to history continue to inspire. In this month, we honor the memory of a ruler who dared to dream of a united and peaceful empire, guided by the principles of faith and justice. May your story continue to be told for as long as there are people to tell it, reminding us all of the power of a vision, and the strength of character required to be called: The Great.

Read other articles by Cameron Madden

Galileo Galilei
  
Gracie Smith
MSMU Class of 2027

"Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe."
- Galileo Galilei
 

The age of modernity is heavily taught at Mount Saint Mary’s University. The distinction between ancient and modern science, philosophy, and even theology is discussed to a point that makes you wonder what life would have been like without the Enlightenment. Now, for each of the above topics, their respective enlightenment occurred and even developed over time. Contrary to my typical articles revolving around some sort of American history, I’m going to talk about science.

Galileo Galilei, born February 15th, 1564, is most commonly referred to as the Father of Modern Astronomy, the Father of Modern Physics, and, at this point, the Father of Modern Science. Born in Pisa, Italy, he is recognized for his invention of the telescope. This invention was revolutionary for its time since it disproved the accepted theory that everything in the sky revolved around the Earth; this is known as geocentrism and is still believed in some parts of the world - though not many. Instead, it was discovered that the Earth, and all the other planets, revolved around the sun. This is known as heliocentrism, which was originally proposed by Copernicus and later confirmed by Galileo.

Nevertheless, not everyone was very accepting of this new and confirmed discovery. The theologians of the Catholic Church were always in some sort of disagreement with Galileo, mostly due to his arrogant character but also because his scientific discoveries constantly disproved their interpretations of scripture. The persistent bickering between the Catholic Church and Galileo was never-ending to the point that the theologians, unwilling to hear Galileo’s rebuttals to the interpretations of scripture, sentenced Galileo to house arrest for life.

Galileo wrote to the Grand Duchess Christina, most likely a patron of his discovery, voicing his concerns since the Theologians cast him and his ideas away. I find it very impactful that he said "I piously and prudently agree that sacred scripture can never lie, but only insofar as the true meanings of its words are understood."

Galileo, in response to the theologians’ accusations, stated that scripture and the existence of God are true, however, it is misinterpreted by the theologians. In his letter, Galileo then continues to, very assertively and pompously I’ll admit, suggest that the theologians reanalyze the Bible and look at it more literally rather than symbolically due to its collision with recent scientific discovery.

This task was something that challenged not only the theologians of the time but everyone. That is to say, how can science and religion coexist peacefully when one is constantly contesting the other? Galileo challenged the world to accept heliocentrism and continue the practice of Catholicism. Thinking synchronically, this was a huge task for the average person. Despite the printing press being invented in the early 15th century, not everyone had access to books to obtain the knowledge Galileo and other scholars did. The average person lived off of the words the Catholic Church fed to them during weekly or daily mass. Scripture was printed and distributed to those who could afford it. Galileo asked people to reconsider everything they’ve understood about Scripture and, as the theologians made it out to be, go against what had already been established. To the average person, you were forced to choose between the Catholic Church and the Enlightenment. One side guaranteed eternal glory in Heaven for those who worshiped and believed while also declaring eternal damnation for those who chose to go against the Scripture. Meanwhile, the other side offered new ideas, new certainties, and modernity as we know it today. Was there really a correct side?

When most people think of Galileo, they only consider what he invented rather than the lasting impact he left on Europeans, and now us. While a notably ignorant and arrogant man, Galileo stood up for his discovery while jointly encouraging others that scripture was still true. It is one of his greatest accomplishments; the establishment of the peaceful coexistence between science and religion.

Arguably the most interesting thing about Galileo was his ability to reveal the intentions of the Catholic Church in the 16th century. By this, I mean that his discovery and further, persecution, exposed how corrupt the Catholic Church was during that time. Considering the means and advances he had to go through to make his points evident go to show how narrow-minded the theologians were. It is scary to think about how their dismissiveness could have impacted the Enlightenment. That is to say, entertaining the notion that Galileo’s discovery would have been rejected altogether would mean perhaps a few more centuries of believing in geocentrism. How could this have impacted our history? I mean we’ve got the Rennaisance, the 30 Years War, the English Civil Wars, the French Revolution, the American Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, the American Civil Wars, then it gets interesting with World War I, then World War II because the Treaty of Versailles just wasn’t enough to stop the Germans.

The theologians were faced with a harsh reality that they were forced to accept. That doesn’t mean that the foundation of what you believe doesn’t exist, it just means you have to change the angle at which you look at it. Initiating this way of thinking from a young age allowed for the adaptability of humans to be more flexible. The acceptance of modernity had begun to be seen positively rather than something that was feared.

This February 15th, in honor of such an incredible scientist, I challenge you all to think of a time in which you rejected change; a time when you were scared to accept the truth; or a time when you were forced to see things from a different perspective. Change is a part of life, but so is acceptance. Learning to coexist with ideas that make us uncomfortable makes us stronger. Galileo, and all he stood for, proved that science can coexist with religion.

Read other articles by Gracie Smith

Langston Hughes

Devin Owen
MSMU Class of 2026

So much has happened over the trajectory of life in the world, especially in recent years. I feel as though we are often so swept up in the happenings of our own lives, the present, and even the future, that we often disregard the past. How can we do that though, when the past is what shaped us into who we are now; it has shaped society and the world as we know it. There is a saying between one of my friends and I in regard to change, we frequently say that we are "waiting for a catalyst" in order to make a change in our lives or to make a hard decision. We need a big moment in order to feel like we are making the right choices. Sometimes though, the small moments make all the difference too. Change is simply just part of the life we live; it’s inevitable. However, most of the changes we’ve seen throughout history haven’t occurred without a bit of a fight.

Introducing the birthday boy: Langston Hughes! Born on February 1st, 1902, in Joplin Missouri, Hughes ended up becoming one of the most well-known poets in the Nation and one of the most recognized leaders of the Harlem Renaissance—the most influential period in African American literary history, lasting from the 1910’s until the mid 1930’s. Hughes was an innovator of the jazz poetry art form, an art form that ended being insanely popular. In addition to his role as a poet and leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes was also a playwright, novelist, and an activist; a multi-tasking king if you will. He moved to New York City and flourished in the literary world. Not only did he flourish here, but he also shaped the literary world as we know it, addressing his poetry to people—specifically the African American people—and sharing the importance of making a change and having a dream. Hughes died aged only 66 years old on May 22nd, 1967. Even after his passing though, his name lived on for generations to come.

Dear Mr. Langston Hughes,

I would like to wish you a very happy birthday! The date is February 1st and you are aged approximately 123 years old today. Ironically, you share a birthday with someone else who has shaped my life in crucial ways. My best friend’s mom, my bonus mom, was also born on February 1st but she isn’t nearly as old as you are today (no offense). I have found that different people shape your life in different but equally important ways. Similar to my bonus mom, you have better shaped my understanding of the world. Poetry is a beautiful and complex form of art. Words hold power and we often wield it without thought, at least in todays society we do. Looking back though, we use words to make the most critical decisions. For example, in order to declare war, our President addresses the Nation and states the intentions: "We declare war on..." Words are powerful in a way we cannot or do not fully comprehend. Mr. Hughes, YOUR words are powerful. They have carried on your legacy for years following your passing 58 years ago.

In my American Literature Survey course from last year here at Mount St. Mary’s University, we read and analyzed your poems as a class. We listened intently and read closely and not only did we hear your words, but we understood them. I believe the first poem we looked at was "The Weary Blues", which you wrote in 1925. It’s interesting to think about the differences between the world in which you lived and the world that we are living currently. I myself am an avid poetry lover, and I have even written a few poems myself. It’s a form of expression that I never really understood prior to college. I used to write songs when I was younger, albeit they aren’t the best, but I used this as a way to express how I felt and the dreams I had. Looking back, I hear your words, "a dream deferred is a dream denied", I apply this to my life anytime I consider pushing my dreams back. If I push them back now then I am denying them and making them to be less important. We should all always follow our dreams and make them important.

As I write this letter to you, I am sitting on the couch in my living room apartment, drinking a cup of coffee, listening to music and grinning like an idiot. Specifically, I am writing this letter while listening to music by Hozier, another idol of mine, who reminds me a bit of you. When I listen to his music I feel good. I find myself getting in the groove of writing, pushing past my writers’ block, and pouring my heart out on paper. For the past few months, I have been completely burnt out. I haven’t been able to find the love for writing in which I have had my whole life. Between school, work, and mentoring I haven’t had the desire to write for myself. I’ve been writing for work, for a paycheck. But why did I start writing for the paper in the first place? Because I loved writing. It has been a passion of mine; a way to express myself through the power of words! You once said, "Life is for the living. Death is for the dead. Let life be like music. And death a note unsaid." Sometimes we need to hear it put pretty simply: you’re alive so live your life. You can be dead when you’re dead, there’s no time for it now. Sometimes I need to listen to you more often, I need to live my life and feel the way music makes me feel, and I very obviously need to embrace my love of writing and words and everything else life has to offer.

Langston Hughes. The man that you are. Thank you. Thank you for being so unbelievably talented. Thank you for being an inspiration to not only the African American community and literary community, but also to the young writers, poets, playwrights, and activists around the world. You’re name and legacy is one that will be remembered for eons. You made a difference in the world, and we’re forever grateful for it.

Read other articles by Devin Owen

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Dolores Hans
MSMU class of 2025

There are historical figures that are renowned by the world, our country, and the textbooks. There’s our history and those who impacted it, and then there is my history. My history, my life, has been impacted by many figures, whether similarly honored by the greater society, or less notable than most textbooks but still well-known. From a young age, I was most heavily impacted by books I read and the show I watched that taught me about family, hard work, and how a simple life can be the most rewarding if it is filled with love. How a little house in a small community can hold a value far greater than any luxury you can name, because of the family that lives within it.

On February 7th, 1867, Laura Ingalls Wilder was born. She lived a life centered on family and she shared that devotion with those who read her stories. She began writing down her childhood memories into stories at the request of her daughter, stories that were published and more than a century later were eventually read by a young Dolores. These stories inspired the creation of a television show, Little House on the Prairie, which is still one of my favorite shows. And so, as her birthday approaches, I write her a birthday letter.

Dear Laura Ingalls Wilder,

Happy 158th birthday! It is an honor to be writing to you. I wish there was a way to explain to you that not only am I, a twenty-two year old woman, writing to you, but so is a 10 year old who just discovered your books, and a 16 year old teenager who watches the show based on your life every night. On this day, I hope to share with others the significance of your life, and thank you kindly for having the courage to share your story. As a twenty-first century woman, I will never know what it is like to ride in a covered wagon across the country, or walk a mile from my farm to sell eggs to the mercantile for about ten cents. But through your stories, you gave us a window into the life of a pioneer, capturing the beauty of the simple life of those times with such vivid detail and heartfelt emotion. Your books have inspired generations, and just as my mom introduced me to you, I will introduce you to my daughters.

You taught us about resilience, the power of family, and the simple joys of everyday life. Through the ups and downs of your family's journey across the country, we learned that even in the hardest times, there is always hope, courage, and love. You showed us the good qualities of your own parents through your characters. Charles with his relentless optimism, hard work, and love of his wife and children, and Caroline, with her quiet strength, memorable teachings, and authentic femininity. These characters provided me with role models, and helped me envision the mother I want to be and the marriage I want to build.

You expressed the role of your sister, Mary, as beautiful and intelligent, a do-good girl with maturity. When I was in high school I related to her when my own younger sister became a thorn in my side and yet my favorite person. No matter how I could relate myself to the women in your stories, deep down I will always be comforted by the character you created to represent yourself. Laura, a self-assured, wild, tomboy-ish girl who just wanted to do right by others.

I always loved the warmth of the home you created in your books, the home you allowed me to be a part of. Though it was unremarkable in features and structure, it never felt cold, even if a blizzard blew through the cracks of the wooden walls. To me, there was always a fire and blankets to keep the warmth from escaping the pages of the story I felt welcomed into.

Even beyond the pages of your books, your own life was just as warm and important. You moved all around the midwest, no doubt facing numerous challenges. What I find astounding is that even though where you resided changed often, the goodness of your family made every single house a home. Every cold winter was faced with a warm hug, every long and rocky road was overcome with the stability of your family’s courage, and every struggle was surmounted on the ideal of hope.

With every word you write I am whisked away from my loud and busy life and I land at the edge of a creek with cold rushing water that’s surrounded by dainty white flowers and tall green grass that reaches up toward the sky as if it is stretching after a long slumber. My dress blows in the spring breeze and life is as simple as it should be for a little girl.

Thank you for the childhood you created for me in your books. Thank you for deciding to write, even later in life. As someone who has many passions and is unsure where my life will lead, your example shows me that it’s never too late to start something new. Thank you for giving me role models and a way to envision my life. Simple and full, adventurous and stable, and grand in a little way.

As I, and all your readers celebrate you on your birthday, we thank you for showing us that the adventure of life is about much more than the places we go—it’s about the love we share, the memories we make, and the way we learn to appreciate each moment, no matter how small.

Happy Birthday, Laura! I’ll meet you on the bank of the creek.

Read other articles by Dolores Hans

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