March 16

Andreas Acoluthus was a German scholar of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He held professorships in oriental languages at major German universities. Acoluthus published translations and analyses of Middle Eastern manuscripts. His work contributed to the development of comparative linguistics and theological studies. As a professor, he influenced the next generation of scholars in Oriental and theological research. His bibliographic compilations remain references in the field of oriental studies.

Jean Bouhier was a leading French jurist in the early 18th century. He served as the first president of the Parlement of Burgundy in Dijon, overseeing civil and criminal cases. A respected scholar, he authored legal commentaries on customary law and Roman law. Bouhier's works contributed to the codification of French legal practice. He was also known for his patronage of the arts and letters, hosting intellectual salons. His blend of legal acumen and cultural engagement made him a notable figure of the Ancien Régime.

Daniel Lorenz Salthenius was an 18th-century Swedish Lutheran theologian and academic. He studied at the University of Uppsala and later held a professorship in theology. Salthenius wrote treatises on doctrinal issues and biblical exegesis, influencing Swedish church teachings. His scholarly approach combined rigorous analysis with pastoral concerns. As a teacher, he trained future ministers and theologians across Sweden. His works remain a reference for students of early modern Lutheran theology.

Carlo Amoretti was an Italian scientist known for his work in bibliography, antiquarian studies and scientific correspondence. He studied theology and served as an abbot before dedicating himself to the study of ancient texts and artifacts. Amoretti catalogued rare manuscripts and contributed to the early development of bibliographic science. He engaged with leading thinkers of his time and exchanged letters on geological and archaeological discoveries. His publications helped lay the groundwork for modern archival research in Italy. Amoretti’s interdisciplinary approach bridged theology, science and history.

Caroline Herschel was born in Hanover and later moved to England with her brother William Herschel. She assisted in his landmark astronomical observations and conducted her own research on star clusters and nebulae. Herschel discovered eight comets and earned a salary as the first professional female astronomer. She was the first woman to receive a Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society and later became an honorary member of the society. Herschel’s cataloguing of astronomical objects was foundational for future celestial mapping. Her achievements helped pave the way for women in the scientific community.

Born in Erlangen, Bavaria in 1789, Ohm studied mathematics and physics at the University of Erlangen. He became a professor and conducted experiments on electricity that led to his 1827 publication Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet. In this work he established the law that current through a conductor is proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance. His contemporaries were slow to accept his findings, but they later became fundamental to electrical theory and engineering. The unit of electrical resistance, the ohm, was named in his honor. Ohm’s research also extended to acoustics and the theory of music.

Born in Hamburg in 1794, Boué studied medicine and natural sciences before focusing on geology. He conducted extensive fieldwork across the Alps, the Carpathians, and the Balkans, mapping rock formations and mineral resources. In 1840 he published the first geological map of the European part of Turkey and explored prehistoric cave sites. Boué’s interdisciplinary approach combined geology with cultural and ethnographic observations of local populations. He held professorships in Paris and Vienna and was a founding member of scientific societies. His work influenced the development of geological sciences in Central Europe.

Born in Tonbridge, Kent in 1799, Atkins was the daughter of a scientist and developed an early interest in natural history. She mastered the cyanotype process developed by her friend Sir John Herschel and applied it to botanical specimens. In 1843 she self-published Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, the first book illustrated with photographic images. Atkins meticulously documented hundreds of plant species, combining scientific rigor with artistic composition. Her work bridged the fields of botany and photography, paving the way for nature photography. Atkins is now recognized as one of the first female photographers and a pioneer of scientific illustration.

Born in 1805 in Lindau, von Lasaulx studied classical philology and theology at Bavarian universities. He became a respected professor at the University of Würzburg, specializing in ancient literature and Christian antiquity. In 1848 he was elected to the Frankfurt Parliament, where he advocated conservative and Catholic interests. Von Lasaulx published critical editions of classical texts and essays on the intersection of faith and scholarship. He later served in the Prussian House of Representatives, influencing education and cultural policies. His dual career bridged the worlds of academic research and political service during a turbulent era in German history.

Born in 1821, Eduard Heine studied under Dirichlet and made seminal contributions to the theory of real and complex functions. His exploration of uniform continuity and compactness laid the groundwork for what is now called the Heine–Borel theorem. Heine's lectures and writings helped systematize Fourier series and convergence criteria, influencing the development of modern analysis. He held professorships at universities such as Halle, where he mentored future generations of mathematicians. His rigorous approach to mathematical proofs set new standards for clarity and precision. Heine died in 1881, leaving a legacy that continues to underpin mathematical analysis today.

Born in Edinburgh in 1834, James Hector trained in medicine before joining the Palliser Expedition to western Canada. In 1861, he was appointed naturalist and surgeon aboard HMS 'Flying Fish,' arriving in New Zealand to conduct geological and botanical studies. Hector's detailed surveys laid the foundation for the Geological Survey of New Zealand, which he directed for many years. He named numerous mountain ranges, including Mount Hector, in recognition of his work. Hector also served as president of the Royal Society of New Zealand, promoting scientific research across the Pacific. He died in 1907, remembered as a pioneering explorer whose studies profoundly shaped the understanding of New Zealand's landscape.

Born in London, Andrew Smith Hallidie emigrated to the United States and became a pioneering engineer and inventor. He designed the endless wire rope system that powered the first practical cable car line in San Francisco. In 1873, he founded the Clay Street Hill Railroad, transforming urban transit and setting a standard for future cable car systems worldwide. Hallidie held numerous patents in wire rope manufacturing and related technologies. His innovations not only revolutionized city transportation but also influenced engineering practices across the globe. He continued to advocate for technological progress until his death in 1900.