Ynes Mexia, botanist
May 24, 1870-July 12, 1938
How We are Smart by W. Nikola-Lisa, illustrated by Sean Qualls (Lee & Low Books, 2006)
Mexia discovered a new passion when she was 51. Botany. And thanks to her, more than 500 species of plants were discovered.
A biographical sketch of Mexia is available on the California Academy of Sciences site.
Victoria, Queen
May 24, 1819-January 22, 1901
Lives of Extraordinary Women: Rulers, Rebels (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt (Harcourt, 2000)
Queen of England for 64 years and the mother of nine children, the Victorian Age was named after this monarch.
Read more about Queen Victoria on the History of the Monarchy page, hosted by the Household Division of the British Monarchy.
