March 10

Born in Mechelen in 1517, Rembert Dodoens studied medicine at Leuven and Strasbourg. His landmark work 'Cruydeboeck' (1554) cataloged over 900 plants with detailed descriptions and illustrations. Dodoens’ herbal was translated into multiple languages, shaping Renaissance botany across Europe. He served as court physician to the Archdukes of Austria in Brussels. His taxonomic approach laid groundwork for later botanists and the Linnaean system. Dodoens also contributed to pharmacology, advising on medicinal plant uses.

Born in 1641, Urban Hjärne studied medicine at Uppsala and Leiden before returning to Sweden to practice. He was appointed royal physician and played a key role in treating epidemics and advising the court. Hjärne conducted pioneering work in mineralogy, laying groundwork for modern geology. He authored influential treatises on chemistry, pathology, and natural history. As a founder of the Swedish Collegium Medicum, he helped regulate medical practice in Sweden. His interdisciplinary contributions earned him recognition as a leading scientist of his era.

Born in Edinburgh in 1758, John Pinkerton developed a passion for British history and archaeology. He produced detailed county maps and atlases, earning recognition as a skilled cartographer. Pinkerton published works on Scottish and Irish history, often focusing on ancient traditions and legends. His numismatic research led to important studies of medieval coinage and monetary systems. An active member of literary societies, he corresponded with leading scholars of his day. Pinkerton’s rigorous approach helped lay the foundations for modern historical and archaeological methods. He died in London in 1826, leaving behind a rich legacy of scholarly publications.

Wilbur Scoville (1865–1942) worked for the Parke-Davis pharmaceutical company and taught pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy in Michigan. In 1912, he devised the Scoville Organoleptic Test, a pioneering method for quantifying the pungency of chili peppers. His scale, measuring heat in 'Scoville Heat Units', remains a standard in food science and culinary industries. Scoville authored numerous papers and a textbook on pharmacy practice, influencing generations of pharmacists. His work bridged practical pharmacy and analytical chemistry, highlighting the importance of sensory measurement in scientific research. He passed away in 1942, leaving a lasting legacy in flavor chemistry.

Frits Zernike (1888–1966) was a professor of physics at the University of Groningen and a pioneer in optical science. In 1934, he invented the phase-contrast microscope, revolutionizing the study of living cells by making transparent specimens visible. This innovation earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953. Zernike also contributed significant research in wave optics and served as president of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. His work laid the foundation for modern microscopy techniques and advanced our understanding of cellular biology. He passed away in 1966, leaving a legacy of scientific excellence.

Born in Tanta, Egypt, Tantawy studied at Al-Azhar University, earning his doctorate in jurisprudence and theology. He rose through the ranks to become Grand Mufti of Egypt in 1986 before being appointed Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Mosque in 1996. Tantawy was known for his moderate interpretations of Islamic law and efforts to reconcile traditional scholarship with contemporary issues. He authored numerous works on Qur'anic exegesis and Islamic jurisprudence that are studied in universities worldwide. Under his leadership, Al-Azhar expanded its international outreach and embraced dialogue with other faiths. Tantawy's tenure saw both praise for modernization and criticism from conservative circles. He remained a central figure in global Islamic scholarship until his death in 2010, leaving a lasting impact on academic and religious communities.

Frank Sherwood Rowland was an American chemist and professor at the University of California, Irvine. He pioneered research on atmospheric chemistry and in 1974 demonstrated that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could deplete the ozone layer. His work prompted global environmental policy responses, including the Montreal Protocol. In 1995 he shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with Mario Molina and Paul Crutzen for their work on ozone chemistry. Rowland's research laid the foundation for modern climate science and conservation efforts.

Anita Brookner was born in 1928 and earned a PhD in art history before lecturing at the Courtauld Institute of Art. She published her first novel at the age of fifty and won the Booker Prize in 1984 for Hotel du Lac. Brookner authored over twenty novels, often exploring themes of solitude, memory, and social observation. As an art historian, she published respected studies on French painting and eighteenth-century portraiture. Her elegant prose and insightful criticism left a lasting impression on both literary and academic circles.

John Elliott was born in 1930 and became one of the foremost historians of early modern Spain. He held teaching positions at Cambridge and Harvard, influencing a generation of scholars. Elliott’s major works, including Imperial Spain, 1469–1716, reshaped understanding of the Spanish empire’s political and cultural dynamics. He also published authoritative studies on the Count-Duke of Olivares and the Revolt of the Catalans. His rigorous research and engaging writing style made his books classics in the field of Iberian studies.