Living in the third century C.E., the legendary St. Cecilia was among the most revered of the Roman virgin martyrs and the patron saint of music and musicians. Her feast day is celebrated on November 22nd.

See Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of.

Roman poet and contemporary of Julius Caesar, whose love poetry was particularly influential on subsequent poets.

Roman statesman, orator, and follower of the Stoic philosophy.

Often known as "Catherine the Great," Catherine II presided over a period of prosperity in which Russia, after which the country emerged as a world power. Born Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst, she came to power in consequence of a coup overthrowing her husband, Peter III. She saw herself as an enlightened ruler, writing on education and patronizing the arts.

Though born a Polish peasant, Catherine became the mistress and then the second wife of Peter the Great of Russia. Catherine had a short two-year reign as empress following her husband's death.

Daughter of Charles VI of France, wife of Henry V, mother of Henry VI, and grandmother of Henry VII. Catherine's marriage with Henry V aimed to eventually make Henry the King of France and end the Hundred Years' War, but Henry died before the plan could be executed. Catherine remarried Owen Tudor, making it possible for her grandson to ascend to the English throne.

As wife of King Henry VIII, Catherine was Queen of England from June 1509 until May 1533. After many years of marriage, Henry became frustrated with the failure of the union to produce a male heir to the throne and sought to have the marriage annulled so he could marry Anne Boleyn. When the Pope refused the annulment, Henry established himself as the head of the Church of England and instituted divorce proceedings. Because Catherine refused to acknowledge the divorce, he banished her from the court for the duration of her life.

The Irish-born Robert Stewart had a highly influential career in British politics and foreign service. He played a key role in subduing the Irish rebellion of 1798 and in the Act of Union of 1800. At that time, he was criticized for his mild approach toward the Irish and his tolerance for Catholicism. Later he was associated with harsh repressive measures, especially as memorialized in Percy Bysshe Shelley's poem "The Mask of Anarchy." He became the 2nd Marquess of Londonderry in 1821, following the death of his father, the 1st Marquess.

Italian diplomat, courtier, and writer, whose most well known literary work was Il libro del cortegiano (1528).