March 18

Born in Eastern Persia in 1075, Al-Zamakhshari emerged as a leading Arabic linguist. His seminal work, Al-Kashshaf, set new standards in Quranic commentary and Arabic philology. A proponent of the Mu'tazila school, he blended rationalist theology with linguistic precision. His writings influenced subsequent generations of Islamic scholars and remained reference points for centuries. Al-Zamakhshari's legacy continues to shape the study of the Arabic language and Qur'anic exegesis.

Born in 1552, he studied theology at the University of Wittenberg. Leyser served as a professor and preacher, defending the doctrines of the Lutheran Reformation. He authored important theological treatises on church governance and sacramental theology. His works helped solidify orthodox beliefs in the early Lutheran church. Leyser’s influence extended through his students and published writings until his death in 1610.

Philippe de La Hire was a prominent French mathematician, astronomer, and member of the Académie des Sciences. Born in 1640, he studied under his father, the painter Laurent de La Hire, but devoted himself to mathematical sciences. La Hire made significant contributions to the theory of conic sections, descriptive geometry, and the mapping of comets' paths. As an astronomer, he produced detailed charts of the Moon’s surface and observed numerous celestial phenomena. He published influential works like Tabulae astronomicae and Géometrie used by scholars across Europe. La Hire also served as royal censeur royal for scientific works and fostered the growth of the Paris observatory.

Christian Goldbach was a Prussian mathematician whose conjecture about prime numbers became one of the most enduring problems in mathematics. Born in Königsberg in 1690, he studied under Jakob Bernoulli and corresponded with leading mathematicians like Leonhard Euler. In a 1742 letter to Euler, Goldbach proposed that every even integer greater than two is the sum of two primes, a hypothesis still unproven. Beyond number theory, he contributed to analysis, algebra, and the foundations of calculus. Goldbach held academic positions at the University of Marburg and later served as court counselor in Russia. His conjecture inspired centuries of research in additive number theory and remains a central topic in mathematics.

Agnes Sime Baxter was born in 1870 in Canada and became a pioneer for women in mathematics and higher education. She earned her B.A. and later an M.A. in mathematics from Queen's University, where she excelled in advanced studies. Baxter then dedicated her career to teaching at various secondary schools, inspiring future generations of students with her passion for the subject. She also contributed to educational journals and mathematical societies, advocating for greater opportunities for women in STEM fields. Baxter's work laid the groundwork for the increasing presence of women in mathematics before her untimely death in 1917.

Thomas Townsend Brown was born in 1905 in Zanesville, Ohio. He studied at the California Institute of Technology and became fascinated by the relationship between electricity and gravity. Brown is best known for the Biefeld–Brown effect, exploring electrogravitic propulsion concepts. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he experimented with high-voltage devices aiming to achieve thrust without moving parts. Although his theories remain controversial, Brown's work influenced later research in propulsion and aerospace. He died in 1985, leaving behind a legacy of inventive curiosity at the fringes of physics.

John Zachary Young was born in 1907 in Walsall, England. He conducted groundbreaking studies on the giant squid axon, revealing fundamental principles of nerve impulse transmission. Young served as a professor of zoology at the University of London and later at University College London. He contributed to the understanding of brain function and was a founding figure in modern neuroscience. Young authored several influential books aiming to bridge science and the public, including 'The Life of Vertebrates'. He was knighted in 1971 for his services to science and passed away in 1997, leaving a lasting legacy in neurophysiology.

Seymour Martin Lipset was a prominent American sociologist and political scientist renowned for his analysis of social stratification and democracy. He served as a professor at institutions including the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University. His influential works, such as 'Political Man' and 'American Exceptionalism', examined the relationship between economic development and democratic stability. Lipset contributed to modernization theory and explored the role of social classes and trade unions in political life. His research bridged the fields of sociology, political science, and history, leaving a lasting impact on the study of comparative politics. Throughout his career, he advised policymakers and shaped academic discourse on democracy and welfare states.

James J. Andrews was an American mathematician known for his contributions to functional analysis and group theory. He held academic positions at several universities, mentoring generations of students in advanced mathematical research. Andrews published influential papers on operator theory and topology that advanced theoretical mathematics. He was respected for his rigorous teaching style and his ability to elucidate complex mathematical concepts. His scholarly work remains a reference for researchers in abstract algebra and mathematical analysis.

Ole Barndorff-Nielsen was a Danish mathematician and statistician renowned for developing the generalized hyperbolic distribution. His work on probability theory and statistical models influenced fields ranging from finance to environmental science. Barndorff-Nielsen held professorships at Aarhus University and lectured around the world. He authored numerous papers that advanced the theory of stochastic processes and measure transport. His mathematical innovations continue to underpin modern statistical applications and research.

Frances Cress Welsing was an influential psychiatrist who explored the root causes of racism and white supremacy. She earned her M.D. from Howard University and served on the faculty of Howard and Yale Universities. Her most notable work, "The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors," challenged conventional views on race relations. Welsing advocated for Black empowerment and was known for her bold and often controversial theories. Throughout her career, she lectured widely and published numerous articles on mental health and social justice. Her ideas sparked debate and left a lasting impact on discussions of systemic racism.

Dame Linda Partridge is a British geneticist and professor whose work has transformed the study of aging. As director of the Institute of Healthy Ageing at University College London, she investigates the genetic and environmental factors that influence lifespan. Her research using fruit flies uncovered pathways that regulate longevity, offering insights into age-related diseases. A Fellow of the Royal Society, she has received numerous awards for her contributions to biogerontology. Partridge advocates for translating basic research into interventions that promote healthy aging in humans.