November 8, 1308 Death of Duns Scotus (original name: Johannes) in Cologne, Germany (born in Scotland). Duns Scotus was a Franciscan who was educated in England and had taught at the University of Paris prior to his final academic appointment at Cologne in 1307. He had become a very controversial scholar through one of his conclusions, that Mary … [Read more...]

November 4, 1716 Birth of Wilhelm Freiherr von Knyphausen in Luxembourg. In 1776 as a general with over 40 years of service, Knyphausen was appointed second in command to General Leopold von Heister commanding the Hessian troops fighting with the British against the colonial rebels in America. In 1777 Knyphausen assumed the command. He returned … [Read more...]

November 3 Feast Day of St. Primin (ca. 690 - 753) Primin was a West Goth who was appointed a traveling bishop in 720. He founded several monasteries during his lifetime. Among the monasteries he is said to have founded are Murbach, Neuweiler, Gegenbach, Schwarzach, Hornbach and Amorbach. The city of Pirmasens, Germany is named for him. He is … [Read more...]

November 2, 1528 Birth of Petrus Lotichius Secundus in Niederzell, Germany. He was a professor of medicine at the University of Heidelberg but is much more remembered as a poet of the Renaissance period. He wrote in Latin. November 2, 1739 Birth of Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf in Vienna, Austria. Dittersdorf composed instrumental music and … [Read more...]