Lansbury, George. 1859-1940. British Labour MP. Women’s suffrage. Pacifist, opposed to WWI.

Lao-tzu. =Old Philosopher. 604-531BC. Legendary Chinese philosopher. Founded Taoism. The Way of Life.

Laos. 14C Buddhist Lan Xang. 18C Vientiane(C)/ Luang Prabang(N)/ Champassak(S). 19C Siam. 1893 French protectorate. 1942 Japanese occupy. 1946 French. 1953 Independent...civil wars. 1975 Lao People’s Democratic Republic. 1991 New Constitution and freedoms.

Latin Empire of Constantinople. 1204-61. Established by 4th Crusade leaders.

Laud, William. 1573-1645. Archbishop of Canterbury, 1633-45. Supported Charles I. Beheaded.

Lawrence, St. -258. Martyr with Pope St Sixtus II.

Laxness, Halldór. 1902-98. Icelandic writer. Weaver of Cashmere 1927. Independent People 1935.

Leakey, Louis. 1903-72. British anthropological archeologist. With wife Mary, discovered homo habilis and other ancient humanoid fossils.

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

Lee, Richard. 1732-94. US Continental Congressman. Opposed Constitution, advocated Bill of Rights.

Leibniz, Gottfried. 1646-1716. German philosopher, mathematician. Invented differential and integral calculus1675, binary arithmetic 1703. Multiplication machine 1671.

Leipzig, Battle. 1813. Napoleon loses Germany and Poland. 500,000 troops involved.

Le Nain. Antoine, 1588-1648. Louis, 1593-1648. Mathieu, 1607-1677. French brothers, painters. Popular Scenes 1642.

Leo I, St. 400-461. Pope 440-. Opposed Nestorianism, Manichaeism and other heresies.

Leo III, St. -816. Pope 795-. Crowned Charlemagne recreating Western Roman Empire.

Leo IX, St. 1002-54. Pope 1049-. Excommunicated Cerularius, causing East-West Schism.

Leo X. 1475-1521. Pope 1513-. Excommunicated Luther. Depleted treasury.

Leo XIII. 1810-1903. Pope 1878-. Rerum Novarum 1891: right to private property. Ended opposition to scientific progress. Longest papal rule.

Leoncavello, Ruggero. 1857-1919. Italian opera composer. I Pagliacci 1892.

Leonidas. King of Sparta. Killed resisting Persians at Thermopylae, 480BC.

Leopold and Loeb. 1924. Wealthy, intellectual partners ‘perfect’ murder of Bobby Franks leads to life imprisonment. Darrow plea avoids execution.

Leopold I. 1790-1865. First King of Belgians 1831-. Maintained neutrality.

Leopold II. 1747-92. Holy Roman Emperor 1790-. “Enlightened despot”. Liberal reforms. Declaration of Pillnitz for absolutism.

Leopold II. 1835-1909. King of Belgians 1865-. Ruled Congo ruthlessly.

Leopold III. 1901-83. King of Belgians 1934-51. German prisoner 1940-5. Abdicated.

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