Della Robbia, Luca. c1400-82. Italian sculptor. Angels for Florence Cathedral Cantoria. c1435. Introduced enamelled terra-cotta.

Democracy. Government based on rule by the people.

Democritus. c460-c370BC. Greek philosopher. Atomic theory of matter. Separate mind. Man’s goal is happiness and tranquility.

Demosthenes. 384-322BC. Greek orator and politician. Opposed Philip of Macedon. Philippics. Led unsuccessful revolt. Suicide.

Descartes, René. 1596-1650. French Rationalist philosopher, physician, mathematician. Cartesian coordinates. Discourse on Method 1637. “Cogito ergo sum”-I think, therefore I am. Analytical Geometry 1636. Meditations 1641. Principia Philosophica 1645.

Desmoulins, Camille. 1760-94. French journalist, lawyer and conventionnel. Speech inspired the storming of the Bastille. Executed as Moderate.

Despenser, Hugh le. 1261-1326 The Elder; -1326 The Younger. Advised/controlled Edward II. Executed by Mortimer and Isabella.

Deuteronomy. 5th Book of Bible. Includes 10 Commandments and other laws. Law code found c622BC in Temple of Jerusalem.

Dewey, John. 1859-1952. US Pragmatist philosopher. -’It is in society’s interest that an individual develop and exercise his talents’. Studies in Logical Theory 1903.

Diadochi, Wars of. 321-281BC. Partition of Empire among Alexander’s generals.

Diaz, Bartolomeu. c1450-1500. Portuguese. First to sail around the Cape of Good Hope in 1487/8.

Diocletian. 245-316. Roman Emperor of the East 284, West 285. Abdicated 305. Regained Britain, Persia. Persecuted Christians. Condemned alchemy 297.

Diogenes (The Cynic). c413-327BC. Greek philosopher. Cynic. Looked for an honest man. Declined gifts of Alexander the Great. Lived in a tub. Sought virtue and moral freedom.

Diophantus. 3C. Greek mathematician. Arithmetica First algebra text.

Divine, Father. 1882-1965. US black leader. Peace Mission Movement.

Dogger Bank Incident. 1904. Russians sink British North Sea fishing trawlers believing them to be Japanese torpedo boats. Compensation paid. Russo-Japanese War.

Dolet, Étienne. 1509-46. French scholar. Executed for denying the soul’s immortality.

Dominic, St. c1170-1221. Spanish monk, founder of the Dominican Order.

Donation of Constantine. 8C. Forged document granting land to the papacy. Exposed 1440.

Dostoyevsky, Fyodor. 1821-81. Russian psychological writer. Crime and Punishment 1866. Idiot 1868. Brothers Karamazov 1880. Exiled to Siberia 1849-59.

Douglas, Clifford. 1879-1952. English. Conceived Social Credit theory. Economic Democracy 1920.

Dowson, Ernest. 1867-1900. English Decadent poet. -“I have been faithful to thee, Cynara, in my fashion”.

Draco. Author of written law code, Athens, 621BC. Death was penalty for petty crimes. Later repealed.

Drake, Francis. 1540-96. English pirate/explorer. Sailed around the world 1580. Vice Admiral at defeat of Spanish Armada, 1588. Privateers.

Drury Lane. 1663. Oldest English theatre, London. Rebuilt 1674, 1812.

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