On this day — November 13 in African history

Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

The British Eighth Army recaptured the strategic Libyan port of Tobruk from Axis forces following their victory at El Alamein.

Sources: HMSO, History of the Second World War (Playfair et al., The Mediterranean and Middle East, Vol. IV) ; Project Gutenberg Australia (Pictorial History of the Second World War, Vol. II)

Sandro Botticelli — Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Augustine of Hippo, the influential theologian and philosopher who became one of the most important thinkers in Christian history, was born in Thagaste in Roman Numidia (present-day Algeria).

Sources: New Advent (Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913) ; Christian History Institute

Wilbur Smith, the best-selling Zambian-born novelist whose adventure sagas were set across southern Africa, died at his home in Cape Town.

Sources: Daily Maverick ; African Studies Centre Leiden ; The Guardian