February 21

Born in 1498 in Hanau, Hieronymus Bock trained as a physician and developed a passion for the study of plants. His seminal work, the 'Kreutterbuch,' broke from medieval tradition by grouping plants according to their natural characteristics rather than alphabetical order. Bock emphasized field observation and practical uses of herbs, noting medicinal properties and habitat. His innovative methods influenced later botanists, including Jean Bauhin and Carl Linnaeus. Serving also as a parish pastor, he balanced scientific inquiry with pastoral duties. Bock’s death in 1554 marked the loss of a key figure in the transition to empirical botany.

Expelled from the Jewish community of Amsterdam for his unorthodox views, Spinoza pursued independent scholarship. His magnum opus, Ethics, presented a vision of a single substance he equated with God or Nature. Spinoza championed rationalism, arguing that reason could uncover the laws of the universe. His critique of religious superstition and advocacy of freedom of thought influenced Enlightenment thinkers. Spinoza's ideas on democracy and tolerance continue to resonate in modern philosophy.

Martens taught jurisprudence at the University of Göttingen and published extensive collections of treaties and legal documents. He represented Prussia at diplomatic negotiations after the French Revolution. His methodical compilations became essential resources for international law scholars. Martens defined principles of treaty interpretation and state responsibility. His work influenced the development of modern diplomatic and legal frameworks.

Heike Kamerlingh Onnes was born in 1853 in Groningen, Netherlands. After studying physics in Heidelberg and Zurich, he became a professor at the University of Leiden. In 1908, he achieved the first liquefaction of helium, reaching temperatures near absolute zero. His experiments led to the discovery of superconductivity in 1911, when he observed zero electrical resistance in mercury at low temperatures. For these breakthroughs, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1913. Kamerlingh Onnes founded the field of cryogenics, impacting research in low-temperature physics and materials science. He continued to mentor a generation of physicists until his death on February 21, 1926, leaving a lasting legacy in science.

George Ellery Hale was born in 1868 in Chicago and studied at MIT and Harvard before focusing on solar astronomy. In 1892, he invented the spectroheliograph, enabling detailed imaging of solar prominences. He founded Yerkes Observatory in Wisconsin and Mount Wilson Observatory in California, and later championed the Palomar Observatory project. Hale discovered magnetic fields in sunspots, transforming understanding of solar activity. He served as president of the American Astronomical Society and the National Academy of Sciences. His leadership and vision shaped modern astrophysics and observational astronomy. Hale died on February 21, 1938, leaving a legacy of scientific innovation and institutional foundations.

Frederick Banting was born in 1891 in Ontario, Canada, and served as a medical officer during World War I, earning the Military Cross. In 1921, working with student Charles Best under Professor J.J.R. Macleod at the University of Toronto, he isolated insulin from pancreatic extracts. The discovery revolutionized the treatment of diabetes and saved countless lives. Banting and Macleod were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923, making Banting one of the youngest Nobel laureates in history. He was knighted later that year for his contributions to medicine. Banting continued research in medical science and served as a professor at the University of Toronto. He died in a plane crash while on an aviation medicine research mission on February 21, 1941, at the age of 49.

Howard Florey was born in 1898 and played a pivotal role in transforming penicillin from a laboratory curiosity into a life-saving antibiotic. Along with Ernst Chain and Alexander Fleming, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 for this groundbreaking work. Florey’s research and clinical trials demonstrated penicillin’s effectiveness in treating bacterial infections, saving countless lives during and after World War II. He later served as a professor at the University of Oxford, mentoring a generation of medical researchers. He passed away in 1968, leaving a lasting legacy in both medicine and pharmacology.

Gershom Scholem was born in Berlin and emigrated to Palestine in 1923, where he became the first professor of Jewish mysticism at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He devoted his career to uncovering and interpreting the esoteric traditions of Kabbalah, publishing seminal works such as 'Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism' that remain foundational texts today. Scholem's scholarship bridged historical research and philosophical insight, reshaping modern understanding of Jewish spiritual heritage. He engaged with contemporaries like Martin Buber on religious and cultural topics and influenced generations of scholars. His rigorous methodology and profound analyses earned international recognition before his death in 1982.

Dorothy Auchterlonie Green, born in Adelaide, began publishing poetry in the 1930s and quickly gained attention for her lyrical voice. She served as an editor for literary journals, championing emerging Australian writers and fostering a national literary identity. Green lectured at the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney, where she mentored students in poetry and criticism. Her critical studies on figures like Patrick White highlighted the depth of Australian narrative. As a poet, she produced several acclaimed collections that explored nature, identity, and social themes. Green's work helped legitimize Australian literature on the world stage before her death in 1991.

Inge Lehmann was born in Copenhagen and studied mathematics and physics at the University of Copenhagen. While working at the Danish Geodetic Institute, she analyzed seismic wave data from earthquakes and in 1936 proposed the existence of a solid inner core within the Earth. Her landmark paper challenged prevailing models of Earth's interior and opened new directions in geophysics. Lehmann continued her research throughout her career, receiving the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society and other honors. She advocated for scientific exchange and mentored many geoscientists. Lehmann remained intellectually active well into her 90s and lived to the age of 104, passing away in 1993.

Gertrude B. Elion (1918–1999) was an American biochemist and pharmacologist whose research led to the development of lifesaving drugs including azathioprine, allopurinol, and acyclovir. She applied rational drug design techniques that revolutionized pharmacology, improving treatments for leukemia, gout, and viral infections. In 1988, she shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her groundbreaking work. Elion’s contributions have saved countless lives and set the foundation for modern medicinal chemistry. She remains a trailblazer for women in science.

Born in 1926 in New York City, Bernard Nathanson became a pioneering obstetrician and abortion provider. In 1969 he co-founded the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (now NARAL Pro-Choice America), becoming a vocal pro-choice advocate. He claimed to have performed over 60,000 abortions before he turned against the practice. Nathanson produced the controversial 1984 film The Silent Scream, influencing public debate on abortion. After his conversion, he wrote several books and toured internationally as an anti-abortion speaker. His complex journey sparked intense discussion on ethics, medicine, and personal belief.