Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer was a prominent Croatian bishop and politician born on February 4, 1815. He played a significant role in the cultural and political life of Croatia during the 19th century. Strossmayer was a strong advocate for the Croatian language and national identity, promoting education and the arts throughout the region. Strossmayer is best known for founding the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek and for his contributions to the University of Zagreb. He was also a key figure in the Vatican during the First Vatican Council, where he supported the idea of a more decentralized church structure. He passed away on August 8, 1905.