Few artists have captured the innocence and joy of Christmas like Norman Rockwell.

Let's take a look at some of his works on the Christmas season…🧵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, 1948

Sir Richard Francis Burton spoke 29 languages, translated the Kama Sutra into English, and completed the Hajj pilgrimage.

These accomplishments are the tip of the iceberg for this Victorian era gentleman.

Let’s explore his extraordinary life…🧵 Born in 1821 to an Army officer, young Richard's family traveled widely. As a child, he learned Latin, French, and Italian. While at Oxford, he also learned Arabic and Greek. He would ultimately speak 29 languages to include Persian, Punjabi, and a variety of African languages.

Soon the leaves will be falling and a chill will be in the air.

Let's explore some paintings that illuminate this wonderful time of year...🧵 Autumn on the Seine at Argenteuil, 1873
by Claude Monet

In a world obsessed with image, true character seems to be quietly disappearing.

But we can bring it back through our example.

Here are 10 timeless virtues everyone should reclaim…🧵 Fortitude is the quiet strength to endure hardship.

Also known as inner toughness, it was one of the four cardinal virtues in ancient philosophy.

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
- Marcus Aurelius

Peter Ortiz wasn’t just a Marine, he was a legend.

He fought with the French Foreign Legion, parachuted behind enemy lines with the OSS, and spoke ten languages.

He then became a Hollywood actor.

Let’s learn about the real-life action hero you’ve probably never heard of…🧵 Ortiz was born in New York City on July 5, 1913.

Born to parents of French and Swiss decent, he was educated at the University of Grenoble in France.

At age 19, he enlisted in the French Foreign Legion and ultimately served five years in North Africa.

The Book of the Courtier is a timeless guide to what it means to be a true gentleman.

Written by Baldassare Castiglione in the 1500s, the book still resonates today.

Let’s review some of the lessons from the book…🧵 Castiglione named sprezzatura as an essential quality of the courtier. In his words:

“To practice in all things a certain nonchalance, which conceals all art and presents everything said and done as something brought about without effort and almost without giving thought to it.”

Summer is here and with it has come rising temperatures.

The heat is no reason for lowering standards. A gentleman adapts and does not abandon his sense of style.

Let’s explore ways to maintain your sense of style as the heat rises…🧵 While the heat is not an excuse to dress poorly, it does call for some adjustments to your wardrobe.

Heavy wool suits have their place, but not in the summer.

The gentleman evolves his wardrobe to suit the season and the occasion.

John Trumbull was known as the “Painter of the Revolution”.

A gifted artist, his inspirational work adorns the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and American currency.

Let’s take a look at his work as we celebrate America…🧵 Trumbull was born in Connecticut in 1756 to Johathan Trumbull, who served as Governor of Connecticut.

His brothers were also veterans of the revolution, with one serving as Governor and Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Trumbull attended Harvard at 15 years of age.

Nathanael Greene is the unsung hero of the American Revolution.

If Washington had perished many assume that Greene would be given command of the Continental Army.

An untimely death robbed him of prominence in history books.

Let’s learn more about this hero…🧵 Greene was born on August 7, 1742 in Rhode Island to a prominent Quaker family.

A voracious reader, he assembled a massive library with writings on military history.

In 1770, Greene and his brothers took over the family business interests when his father died.

20th Century artists like Norman Rockwell and J.C. Leyendecker captured the spirit of the 4th of July like few others.

As we celebrate America, let’s take a look at some of their inspirational work…🧵 Fourth of July
J.C. Leydecker, 1913

Sir Ranulph Fiennes is known as the world’s greatest living explorer.

Soldier, adventurer, and author; he’s done it all.

Let’s learn more about his remarkable life…🧵 Fiennes was born in Berkshire, England on March 7, 1944.

Four months earlier, his father, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ranulph Fiennes, was killed while commanding the Royal Scots Greys in WWII.

His family moved to South Africa after the war, where he remained until the age of 12.

Many men relax their standards in the summer.

But a gentleman doesn’t stray from his ideals.

Here’s how to use the summer months to sharpen yourself and stand apart while others drift…🧵 Longer days mean more sunlight and more opportunity, so start your
mornings early.

Walk, read, or train before others wake.

While they sleep in, get a jump start on the day.

In a world obsessed with image, true character seems to be quietly disappearing.

But we can bring it back through our example.

Here are 10 timeless virtues everyone should reclaim…🧵 Fortitude is the quiet strength to endure hardship.

Also known as inner toughness, it was one of the four cardinal virtues in ancient philosophy.

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
- Marcus Aurelius

Frederic Edwin Church was once the most famous painter in America.

From icebergs to volcanos, he traveled the globe to capture the natural world on canvas.

Let’s review his amazing work…🧵 Church was born in Connecticut in 1826 and pursued art early on.

At 18, he became a student of Thomas Cole.

He sold his first painting in 1846 and others soon followed.

This Memorial Day, we honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for America.

Many of them are interred on foreign land where they died defending freedom.

Let’s learn more about some of those overseas cemeteries which are the resting place for thousands of Americans…🧵 The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) was established in 1923.

It is responsible for 26 American military cemeteries and memorials around the world.

Each cemetery is meticulously maintained, ensuring that the legacy of the fallen endures for future generations.

Tom Crean may be the toughest explorer in modern history.

The Irishman played a key role in three Antarctic expeditions during the golden age of polar exploration.

This is his story…🧵 Crean was born on February 16, 1877 in County Kerry, Ireland.

He enlisted in the Royal Navy at the age of 16 and proved to be an able seaman.

While serving on the Ringarooma in 1901, he was selected to assist Robert Scott’s ship as it awaited departure to Antarctica.

Kazimierz Nowak endured one of the most perilous journeys in history.

From 1931-36, he twice traveled the length of Africa by bicycle, horse, camel, and boat.

And he did it alone...🧵 Nowak was born in Stryj, Poland in January 1897.

After serving in WWI, he became an accountant at a local bank.

Upon losing that job, he made a move that changed the trajectory of his life.

He became a traveling journalist.

J.C. Leyendecker was one of the most successful artists in U.S. history.

He is best known for his covers of The Saturday Evening Post, where he inspired an artist named Norman Rockwell.

Let’s take a look at Leyendecker’s remarkable work…🧵 Born in Montabaur, Germany on March 23 1874, Leyendecker immigrated to Chicago with his family in 1882.

In Chicago, he took night classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

He and his brother enrolled in the Academie Julian in Paris from 1895-1897.

Imagine being a famous race car driver, a war hero, an author, and CEO of an airline.

This isn’t the plot of a movie, it’s the life of Eddie Rickenbacker.

Let’s learn more about this American Hero…🧵 Eddie was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 8, 1890.

The third of eight kids, he escaped death many times. This would be a recurring theme in his life.

When his dad died, he dropped out of school to earn money for his family.

Winslow Homer is one of the finest painters America has ever produced.

Let’s learn more about him and take a look at his art…🧵 Homer was born in Boston, Massachusetts in February 1836.

Although an average student, Homer’s artistic talent was obvious early on.

His painting below is 𝘚𝘯𝘢𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘱.

Hiram Powers is among the most influential American neoclassical sculptors.

His sculptures achieved international acclaim in the 19th century. 

Let’s explore his work…🧵 Powers was born in Woodstock, Vermont on July 29, 1805.

He moved to Cincinnati where he worked as a clockmaker.

In 1826, he began focusing on his passion for sculpture.