January 24

Johann Christian Poggendorff was a pioneering German physicist who studied optical phenomena. He is best remembered for describing the Poggendorff illusion, a geometric optical effect. Poggendorff served as editor of the influential journal Annalen der Physik for over thirty years. His research spanned heat, electricity, and magnetism, laying groundwork for modern physics. He played a crucial role in disseminating scientific knowledge across Europe through his publications.

Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar (1901–1962) was a central figure in modern Turkish literature, celebrated for his lyrical prose and philosophical depth. His novel The Time Regulation Institute blends satire with reflections on identity and Westernization. As a literature professor at Istanbul University, he mentored generations of writers and critics. Tanpınar's essays on aesthetics remain foundational to Turkish intellectual thought.

Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965) led Britain through the trials of World War II with stirring speeches that rallied a nation. A decorated soldier, he also authored acclaimed histories, earning the 1953 Nobel Prize in Literature. His six-volume memoir The Second World War offers a definitive account of the conflict. Churchill's blend of political skill, literary talent, and unyielding courage made him one of the 20th century's most iconic leaders.

Born Mary Phelps Jacob in New York City in 1891, she invented the modern brassiere and received a patent for her design in 1914. She later reinvented herself in Paris as Caresse Crosby and, along with her husband Harry Crosby, founded the Black Sun Press in 1927. The press became notable for publishing avant-garde literature, issuing early works by James Joyce, D. H. Lawrence, and Anaïs Nin. Crosby hosted influential literary salons that attracted the Lost Generation of writers. Beyond publishing, her innovation in lingerie design challenged social norms of her time. Her combined legacy as an innovator and cultural patron remains influential today.

Born in Crawford, Nebraska, in 1907, Schaefer began his career writing for newspapers before turning to fiction. He achieved fame with Shane (1949), a seminal Western novel that captured frontier life. His 1956 story Old Yeller was adapted by Disney into a beloved family film. Schaefer’s vivid storytelling and authentic portrayal of the West earned him enduring acclaim. He continued to publish short stories and non-fiction throughout his life. Schaefer passed away in 1991, leaving a legacy of timeless Western literature.