Tennessee Ernie Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991) was an American singer and television personality. Born Ernest Jennings Ford in Tennessee, he is best known for two songs – “The Shotgun Boogie” and “Sixteen Tons”. He became a household name after appearing as “Cousin Ernie” on the I Love Lucy show. He hosted his own prime time variety show from 1956 to 1961. Afterwards, he added gospel music to his country and western and pop genres.
Cotton Mather (February 12, 1663 – February 13 1728) was an American colonial New England Puritan minister and author penning numerous pamphlets. He promoted scientific inquiry into hybridization and advocated for inoculation to stop the spread of disease. But he is most noted for his involvement in the Salem witch trials. His father, Increase Mather, had founded Harvard College, and when Cotton was denied the presidency of that institution, he convinced Elihu Yale to open a new university in New Haven.
Virginia Johnson (February 11, 1925 – July 24, 2013) was an American scientist interested in the study of human sexuality. She and William Masters pioneered study into the human sexual response as well as human sexual dysfunction. The Masters and Johnson research team began in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis and then formed the Masters and Johnson Institute in 1978.
Charles Lamb (February 10, 1775 0 December 27, 1834) was an English essayist, poet, and antiquarian (a person interested in the artifacts of the past). He is best known for Essays of Elia, a collection of popular essay which first appeared in The London Magazine. He and his sister also wrote the children’s book, Tales from Shakespeare which turns the bard’s plays into stories comprehensible to children. Charles was in charge of taming the tragedies while his sister dealt with the comedies.
Alice Walker (February 9, 1944) is an American writer of novels, short stories, and poetry. She won both the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her 1982 work, The Color Purple. She is an avowed “womanist” which she defines as a feminist who is also a person of color. She is also involved in Civil Rights, crediting her meeting with Martin Luther King, Jr. with her return to the South as an activist.
Jules Verne (February 8, 1828 – March 24, 1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright. He is famous for his science fiction works, a series of meticulously researched adventure stories. However, this is not all he wrote and throughout France and much of continental Europe, he was a leader in the avant-garde and surrealism movements. He is the second most translated author in the world with only William Shakespeare beating him for that title.
Thomas More (February 7, 1478 – July 6, 1535) was an English lawyer, philosopher, statesman, and humanist. He was Chancellor to King Henry VIII and served as his advisor for many years during the time Henry was in crisis over his lack of male heir. More opposed the mainland Protestant Reformation and opposed the King’s break from the Catholic Church. When More would not acknowledge Henry as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, he was charged with treason and executed.
Robert “Bob” Nesta Marley (February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981) was a Jamaican singer and songwriter. He is considered to be one of the founders of the reggae style of music. He brought Jamaican music to the world’s attention. He also became a Rastafarian icon during his short life. In 1977, he was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and due to religious considerations, refused amputation. He continued to perform but the cancer spread, leading to his untimely death at the age of 36.
Dwight L. Moody (February 5, 1837 – December 22, 1899) was an American evangelist and publisher. He founded the Moody Church, The Northfield School for girls and the Mount Hermon School for boys (these are now one co-ed school – Northfield Mount Hermon School), Moody Bible Institute, and Moody Publishers. His evangelical travels led him to influence many of his generation and he has been called (by the Moody Bible Institute) the greatest evangelist of the 19th century.
Joshua Abraham Norton (February 4, 1818 – January 8, 1880) was an American citizen who in 1859 proclaimed himself “Norton I, Emperor of the United States” and in 1863 amended his title to include “Protector of Mexico”. He was born in England, lived most of his younger life in South Africa, and emigrated to the US where he located in San Francisco and became a successful businessman. He lost his fortune investing in Peruvian rice and then seems to have lost his mind as well. The citizens of San Francisco supported Emperor Norton and an elaborate funeral was held after he died. His proclamations were posted, but seemed to have had no effect whatsoever.
