Krakatoa. 1883. Volcanic eruption heard 2200 miles away. 120 ft tidal wave.

Labrouste, Henri. 1801-75. French architect. Early use of iron. Bibliothèque Nationale 1862.

Lancaster, Thomas, Earl of. c1277-1322. English. Led barons vs Edward II. Beheaded.

Laudon, Gideon. 1717-90. Estonian/Austrian Hapsburg field marshal in Seven Years War.

Layamon. c1200. English poet. First mention of King Arthur, Lear, Merlin.

Lazear, Jesse. 1866-1900. Linked mosquito with yellow fever, 1900, of which he died. Reed. Agramonte.

Lear. Mythological Celtic king. Shakespearean subject.

Lear, Edward. 1812-88. 1846 Book of Nonsense popularized limericks.

Leary, Timothy. 1920-96. Harvard professor who urged students to “turn on” with LSD, 1964.

Leicester, Robert Dudley, Earl of. 1532-88. Favourite of Queen Elizabeth I.

Linear A. 1700BC Undeciphered Cretan script.

Lisbon Earthquake. 1755.

Lo-Johansson, Ivar. 1901-90. Swedish novelist of social causes. Goodnight, Earth 1933.

Louis VIII. The Lionheart. 1187-1226. French King 1223-. Invaded England 1216-7. Albigensian Crusade 1226.

Lourdes. 1858. Virgin Mary appears to Soubirous.

Ludlow, Battle. 1459. War of Roses. York, Warwick routed by Lancastrians.

Machiavelli, Niccolo. 1469-1527. Florentine amoral cynic, statesman, historian and writer. The Prince 1513. -“End justifies the means”. -“Appear virtuous, act to maintain power”.

Maderno, Carlo. 1556-1629. Swiss architect. Founded Baroque style. St. Peter’s facade 1607.

Magdeburg. 1631. German republic destroyed by Tilly in Thirty Years War.

Mahdi. Shi’ite messiah who will appear at end of the world. Several claimants have appeared.

Majorca. Balearics.

Mallorca. Balearic Island.

Malone, Edmund. 1741-1812. English Shakespearean scholar. Exposed W Ireland.

Malpighi, Marcello. 1628-94. Italian physician. Early microscopic anatomy. Malpighi skin layer.

Mansart, Francois. 1598-1666. French architect. Val-de-Grâce 1645. Classical elements in Baroque style. Subtle elegance, harmony. Mansard roof.

189 more results ...