March 09

Born in Balkh in 787, Abu Ma'shar al-Balkhi was one of the most influential astrologers of the Islamic Golden Age. He served at the Abbasid court in Baghdad and authored numerous treatises on astrology, astronomy, and philosophy. His work, particularly the Kitāb al-Madkhal al-Kabīr, was translated into Latin and deeply influenced medieval European thought. He integrated Greek philosophical concepts with Islamic traditions, laying foundations for later scholars. He died in 886, leaving a legacy that bridged cultures and disciplines.

Leonardo Bruni, born around 1370 in Arezzo, became one of the leading figures of the early Renaissance humanist movement. He studied under Coluccio Salutati and translated many classical texts, including works by Aristotle and Plato, into Latin. As chancellor of Florence, Bruni promoted civic humanism and supported the revival of classical learning. His 'History of the Florentine People' is considered the first modern historical narrative due to its critical approach to sources. Bruni’s writings on republicanism and virtue had a lasting impact on Renaissance thought and politics. He died in 1444, leaving a rich legacy of scholarship and civic engagement.

Mary Anning was born in 1799 in Lyme Regis, Dorset, where she began collecting fossils along the Jurassic coast as a child. She gained international recognition for her discovery of the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton at age twelve, a find that challenged contemporary ideas about Earth's history. Over her lifetime, Anning unearthed numerous significant specimens, including plesiosaurs and pterosaurs. Despite limited formal education and gender constraints, she corresponded with leading geologists and provided specimens to scientists across Europe. Anning's meticulous observations and fossil descriptions helped lay the foundations for vertebrate paleontology. Her contributions were often overlooked in her lifetime, but her legacy endures in museums and scientific literature. She died in 1847, leaving a profound impact on the understanding of prehistoric ecosystems.

Hans Christian Ørsted was born in 1777 in Rudkøbing, Denmark. In 1820 he made the groundbreaking discovery of electromagnetism, demonstrating that electric currents create magnetic fields. This finding laid the foundation for the field of electromagnetism and influenced scientists like Faraday and Ampère. Ørsted also succeeded in isolating aluminium in 1825, expanding the knowledge of elemental chemistry. He was instrumental in establishing the University of Copenhagen's first physics laboratory and the Danish College of Advanced Technology. Ørsted authored numerous scientific papers and philosophical essays, advocating for the unity of science and nature. He died on March 9, 1851, remembered as one of Denmark's most influential scientists.

Vagn Walfrid Ekman was a Swedish oceanographer born in 1874. While working on the research ship Vett, he formulated the theory of the Ekman spiral in 1905. This discovery explained the deflection of ocean currents under the influence of Earth's rotation. Ekman also developed the concept of Ekman transport, crucial to understanding ocean circulation. His research laid foundational principles for modern oceanographic studies and climate science. Ekman's work continues to inform marine navigation, fisheries management, and environmental modeling.

Born in 1915 in Burlingame, Kansas, Sutherland studied medicine at the University of Kansas. He joined the faculty at the University of Cincinnati and later Vanderbilt University. In 1971, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). His work unveiled how hormones activate intracellular second messengers to regulate physiological processes. Sutherland's research laid the foundation for modern pharmacology and cell biology. He mentored generations of scientists and published over 200 papers during his career. On March 9, 1974, he passed away, leaving a lasting legacy in biomedical science.

Born in 1905 into a prominent scientific family, von Euler studied medicine at Uppsala University and earned his MD in 1937. He joined the Karolinska Institute, where he researched the chemical transmission in the nervous system. In the 1950s, he discovered noradrenaline as a key neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system. His work unveiled fundamental mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication in the body. In 1970, von Euler received the Nobel Prize alongside Bernard Katz and Julius Axelrod for his contributions. He mentored future leaders in biomedicine and published extensively during his career. Von Euler died on March 9, 1983, leaving a profound legacy in neuroscience and pharmacology.

A nephew of Sigmund Freud, he applied psychoanalytic theory to public opinion and advertising. His 1923 book 'Crystallizing Public Opinion' laid the foundations for the public relations industry. He orchestrated high-profile campaigns, such as promoting bacon and eggs as the ideal American breakfast. He served major corporations and governments, demonstrating the power of media and persuasion. Often called the 'father of public relations', his work shaped 20th-century marketing and communication strategies. He lived to the age of 103, passing away in 1995, and his influence remains evident in modern PR practices.

David S. Broder (1929–2011) was a renowned journalist and political analyst for The Washington Post. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War before earning his Ph.D. in political science at Georgetown University. His column, “Washington Sketch,” appeared for decades and earned him the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Broder taught journalism at both the University of Maryland and Georgetown University, mentoring countless reporters. He was celebrated for his fair-minded coverage of Capitol Hill and presidential politics. Known affectionately as the “Dean of the Washington Press Corps,” his insights shaped public understanding of American government. His integrity and dedication set a high bar for political journalism.