Born to a noble Venetian family, Elena Cornaro Piscopia became the first woman to be awarded a doctorate in philosophy. A child prodigy, Piscopia went on to complete a brilliant course of study at the University of Padua. During her graduation ceremony, she spoke in classical Latin for an hour, explaining passages from Aristotle. She spent the next several years devoted to study and charity before dying of tuberculosis at age 38. How many languages did she master before receiving her doctorate? Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary
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Born Pierre Culliford, Belgian comics artist Peyo is known for creating Les Schtroumpfs, better known to English speakers as The Smurfs. The little, blue characters debuted in a supporting role in Peyo’s series Johan and Peewit and then began appearing on their own in 1959. Smurf merchandise, particularly figurines, along with animated films and television shows, helped their popularity soar, and the Smurfs became an international phenomenon. How did Peyo get his pseudonym? 
Found in temperate and tropical oceans around the globe, the ocean sunfish, or Mola mola, is the world’s heaviest known bony fish despite the fact that its diet, which consists primarily of jellyfish, is nutritionally poor. Adults generally weigh an average of 2,200 lb (998 kg), though specimens more than twice as heavy have been observed. It is considered a docile fish, but by virtue of its size, it can pose a threat to boats. Is the sunfish caught for food? 
The Aqua Traiana was an aqueduct built under Roman Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century CE. The structure channeled water to Rome from sources around Lake Bracciano, about 25 mi (40 km) northwest of the city. In 1605, Pope Paul V initiated the Aqua Traiana’s repair to augment the city’s water supply. Renamed the Acqua Paola in the pope’s honor, it was completed in 1612 and boasted a lavish fountain with columns of granite and marble. What is meant by the Roman saying “as good as the Acqua Paola”? 
This is a celebration of the 
Beecher became one of the most famous and influential American ministers of his time for his advocacy of an emotional “gospel of love” Christianity. Every important issue of the day was discussed from his pulpit and in his lectures. He was a leader in the antislavery movement, a proponent of women’s suffrage, and an advocate of the theory of evolution. In 1874, however, he became the subject of a sensational adultery trial for an alleged affair with Elizabeth Tilton. What was the verdict? 
In the early 20th century, cousins Elsie Wright and Frances Griffiths created a series of photographs in which they were seen interacting with what appear to be fairies. The images provoked heated debate and even gained the attention of famed Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who championed their authenticity. Though the women initially claimed the fairies were real, they finally admitted otherwise in 1981. Even then, Griffiths insisted that one image was genuine. Which one?