Happy Birthday to…A Sunday School Pioneer, A Founding Father, and the 1914 “Twins”

Our first two birthday celebrants look enough alike to be brothers with their wild, similarly-styled white hair while the so-called “twins” were both born on the very same day.

Happy 289th Birthday to Robert Raikes

British Philanthropist & Sunday School Pioneer

 

Born: September 14, 1735

Birthplace: Ladybellegate House, Gloucester, England

Died: April 5, 1811 (75 years old)

 

Though named for his father, Mr. Raikes isn’t a “Junior.” Instead he is known as Robert “The Younger.” As the owner of a publishing business and a philanthropist interested in prison reform, Mr. Raikes believed an education could keep young boys out of trouble. 

Since the boys at that time worked six days a week in factories, Sundays was chosen as the day for school. With the Bible as a textbook, the children were taught to read and the Catechism. 

 

Because of the phenomenal growth of the schools, “Raikes Ragged Schools”—as critics called them—are considered by some as the forerunners of England’s current educational system.

 

Happy 282nd Birthday to James Wilson

U.S. Founding Father & Signer of the Declaration of Independence

 

Born: September 14, 1742

Birthplace: Carskerdo, Scotland

Died: August 21, 1798 (almost 56 years old)

 

After studying the scholars of the Scottish Enlightenment, Justice Wilson moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Within a few years, he owned a small farm, taught at the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania), and studied law. 

His strong belief in independence led him to publish a pamphlet titled, “Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament” in 1774. 

 

An associate justice of the United States Supreme Court and a delegate to the Continental Congress, Justice Wilson signed both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

 

Happy 110th Birthday to the 1914 “Twins”

 

Clayton Moore is an actor best known for playing the starring role in the 1950s television show, The Lone Ranger. Wearing a mask to hide his identity, the former Texas Ranger and Tonto, his best friend, brought outlaws to Justice. Mr. Moore was born in Chicago, Illinois and died on December 28, 1999 when he was 85 years old.

 

Mae Boren Axton is remembered as the “Queen Mother of Nashville.” Among her other achievements, she co-wrote Elvis Presley’s hit single, "Heartbreak Hotel.” Ms. Axton was born in Bardwell, Texas and died on April 9, 1997 when she was 82 years old.

 

Your Turn

 

Whose birthday party do you most want to attend? You can…

• Discuss philanthropy and social reform with Robert Raikes;
• Ask James Wilson who he liked best: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or Benjamin Franklin; or
• Take drawing lessons from Robert McCloskey, horseback trick-riding lessons from Clayton Moore, and songwriting lessons from Mae Boren Axton. 

Johnnie Alexander writes “Stories Past and Present” in multiple genres. A fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips, she shares a life of quiet adventure with Rugby, her racoon-treeing papillon. Visit her at johnnie-alexander.com.

 

Photos ~ individual photos in public domain; images created with Canva.