Born on This Day: February 22

American military leader and first president whose precedents shaped the constitutional government of the United States.

German philosopher whose work on will, suffering, and aesthetics influenced philosophy, psychology, literature, and the arts.

Belgian statistician and astronomer whose application of probability to society helped establish modern social statistics.

American poet, critic, editor, and diplomat whose writing influenced nineteenth-century literature and public debate.

German physicist who demonstrated electromagnetic waves; the hertz unit of frequency is named for him.

British soldier and educator who founded the Scout movement, creating a worldwide youth-development organization.

American poet and playwright whose lyric voice and independence influenced modern poetry and women’s literary culture.

Spanish-Mexican filmmaker whose surrealism and social criticism transformed international cinema.