March 06

Born in 1794 in Lancaster, William Whewell became a prominent academic at Cambridge University. He served as Master of Trinity College from 1841 and authored foundational works on the philosophy and history of science. In 1834, he introduced the term 'scientist' to describe practitioners of natural philosophy. His 'History of the Inductive Sciences' traced the development of scientific methods, and he made notable contributions to tidal theory and ethics. As an ordained priest, Whewell bridged theology and science, advocating for systematic inquiry. He passed away on March 6, 1866, leaving a lasting legacy in multiple fields.

Born in 1834 in Schorndorf, Germany, Gottlieb Daimler studied mechanical engineering and worked on steam engines and internal combustion designs. In 1885, alongside Wilhelm Maybach, he created one of the first high-speed petrol engines and fitted it to a two-wheeled vehicle. Daimler’s innovations led to the founding of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in 1890, marking the birth of the modern automobile industry. He also developed early forms of carburetors and engine cooling systems. Daimler’s vision influenced global transportation and industrial manufacturing. He died on March 6, 1900, leaving a legacy that endures in the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Ferdinand von Lindemann was born in Hamburg in 1852 and studied mathematics under Paul Gordan and Karl Weierstrass. In 1882, he published his landmark proof that π is a transcendental number, definitively resolving the ancient problem of squaring the circle. Lindemann served as a professor at the University of Freiburg and later at the University of Königsberg, where he taught analysis and number theory. His work extended into complex analysis, and he published on topics such as elliptic functions and algebraic independence. Lindemann's proof had far-reaching implications for mathematics, ensuring that classical compass-and-straightedge constructions could never square the circle. He continued research and teaching until his death on March 6, 1939. Today, his theorem remains a foundational result in the field of transcendental number theory.

Francis Aveling was born in 1875 in Tilbury, Ontario, and entered the priesthood after studying at St. Augustine's Seminary. He pursued advanced studies in psychology at the University of Toronto and later at the Catholic University of Louvain, earning recognition for his research on mental processes. Aveling lectured on psychology at institutions including King's College London and served as president of the British Psychological Society. A prolific writer, he authored works that bridged the fields of theology and psychology, exploring topics such as consciousness and moral development. His dual vocation enabled him to integrate scientific psychological theories with Catholic teaching. Aveling also contributed to the establishment of psychological laboratories and societies in North America and Europe. He died on March 6, 1941, leaving a legacy of interdisciplinary scholarship.

Alice Woodby McKane was born in 1865, during the Reconstruction era. She earned her medical degree and moved to Savannah in the late 19th century, breaking racial and gender barriers in medicine. McKane co-founded the McKane Hospital and Training School for Nurses, providing vital healthcare and education to the African American community. She worked tirelessly as a physician, teacher, and advocate for public health until her death in 1948. Her contributions laid the groundwork for future generations of African American medical professionals. McKane's legacy endures through the institutions she established and her role as a trailblazer in American medicine.

Mammad Amin Rasulzade was born in 1884 in Novkhany, Russian Empire (now Azerbaijan). He emerged as a leading intellectual in the Azerbaijani national movement, writing and speaking for autonomy. In 1918, Rasulzade served as the head of the Musavat Party and proclaimed the independence of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. His government introduced progressive reforms, including secular education and women's rights. After the Soviet takeover in 1920, he lived in exile, continuing his scholarly work and political advocacy. Rasulzade died in 1955, revered as the father of modern Azerbaijani statehood and a pioneer of national liberation.

Zoltán Kodály was a Hungarian composer, linguist, and philosopher who left an enduring mark on both music and education. He immersed himself in the study of Hungarian folk songs with Béla Bartók, weaving their melodies into groundbreaking works such as Psalmus Hungaricus and the operetta Háry János. As a linguist, he examined the relationship between language and music, and his philosophical writings explored the art's social significance. Kodály's passion for holistic musical training led to the creation of the Kodály Method, emphasizing ear training, solfège, and choral singing for students of all ages. His educational reforms transformed music pedagogy globally. Today, his compositions and teaching techniques continue to influence musicians and educators around the world.

Ernest Becker was an American anthropologist and writer whose work explored the psychological and cultural dimensions of human existence. His groundbreaking book The Denial of Death, published in 1973, won the Pulitzer Prize for its examination of humanity's fear of mortality. Drawing on anthropology, psychology, and philosophy, Becker proposed that much of human behavior is driven by the attempt to avoid the awareness of death. He served as a professor at several universities and delivered lectures that challenged prevailing ideas about self, society, and morality. Becker's interdisciplinary approach influenced fields ranging from psychotherapy to existential philosophy. His theories continue to be studied and debated for their profound insights into the human condition.

Hans Bethe was born in 1906 in Strassburg and studied physics in Germany under luminaries such as Arnold Sommerfeld. Fleeing Nazi persecution, he emigrated to the United States in 1935 and joined Cornell University’s faculty. During World War II, Bethe headed the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos, playing a crucial role in the development of the atomic bomb. After the war, he returned to Cornell, where his research advanced quantum electrodynamics, astrophysics, and nuclear physics. In 1967, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics for elucidating how stars produce energy through nuclear fusion. Bethe was also a prominent advocate for arms control and scientific responsibility. He remained active in research and policy until his death in 2005, leaving a towering legacy in 20th-century science.

Born in 1930, Cleland dedicated his career to the study of enzyme mechanisms. He developed the 'Cleland notation', a systematic method for analyzing enzyme-catalyzed reactions. As a professor, he educated generations of biochemists through his influential textbooks. His research on enzyme kinetics provided key insights into catalytic efficiency and inhibition. Cleland's legacy endures in both his scholarly writings and the many students he mentored.

Born in 1925, Jobe served as an orthopedic surgeon in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. In 1974, he successfully performed the first ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on baseball pitcher Tommy John, a procedure now known as Tommy John surgery. He co-founded the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, advancing sports medicine research and treatment. Over his career, he helped thousands of athletes recover from career-threatening injuries and return to competition. Jobe’s innovative techniques transformed orthopedic surgery, leaving a lasting legacy in both medicine and professional sports.

Born in 1932 in Colfax, Washington, Robert Osborne began his career as a stage actor and Broadway performer. He transitioned to writing and film criticism, contributing to publications like The Hollywood Reporter and Newsday. In 1994, he became the inaugural host of Turner Classic Movies, guiding audiences through classic films with his deep knowledge and eloquent commentary. Over more than two decades, Osborne introduced thousands of movies, providing historical context and anecdotes that enthralled viewers. He authored several books on film history, solidifying his reputation as a leading cinema historian. Robert Osborne retired in 2016 and passed away the same year, remembered for his passion in preserving Hollywood's golden age.