German-born John Peter Zenger moved to New York at 13 and joined the printing business immediately. He later gained fame with the New York Weekly Journal, which often attacked governor William Cosby, resulting in Zenger’s arrest. His acquittal in the libel suit is regarded as a landmark case in press freedom.
Manuel Belgrano was an Argentine lawyer, politician, economist, journalist, and military leader. Widely regarded as one of the most important Libertadores of Argentina, Belgrano played a prominent role in the Argentine Wars of Independence and is credited with creating the Flag of Argentina. Manuel Belgrano is regarded as one of the greatest heroes in the history of Argentina.
German-American economist Friedrich List is remembered as one of the pioneers of the historical school of economics. He supported tariffs on imported goods to help the domestic market. He is also known for his pamphlet Outlines of American Political Economy and his book The National System of Political Economy.
William Nicholson is best remembered for discovering the electrolysis of water, which revolutionized the chemical industry. His inventions also include his own hydrometer and launched the first independent science journal. Inspired by his writer friend Thomas Holcroft, he also penned An Introduction to Natural Philosophy, his best-known written work.
José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi was a Mexican political journalist and writer best remembered for his 1816 novel El Periquillo Sarniento. Translated in English as The Mangy Parrot, this work is widely regarded as the first novel to be written by a Mexican and the first novel published in Latin America.