March 22

Born in 1394, Ulugh Beg was a grandson of Timur and a patron of science in Central Asia. He founded the Samarkand observatory in 1420, one of the most advanced in the medieval world. His star catalogue, the Zij-i-Sultani, recorded over a thousand stars with unprecedented precision. Ulugh Beg made significant contributions to trigonometry, including improved sine tables. As governor of Transoxiana, he promoted education, inviting scholars and translating key works. Despite his scientific achievements, he was overthrown and killed by his son in 1449. His work influenced future generations of astronomers in both East and West.

Katherine Jones, born in 1615, was a founding figure in the English scientific community. She hosted intellectual salons and maintained a wide correspondence with leading thinkers, including her brother Robert Boyle. Her home became a center for discussions on chemistry, medicine, and natural philosophy. She supported experimental approaches and encouraged collaboration among scholars. She remained active in scientific circles until her death in 1691.

August Hermann Francke was born in 1663 and became a leading figure in Lutheran Pietism. He established schools, orphanages, and printing presses, expanding his work into what became the Francke Foundations. As a professor at the University of Halle, he combined scholarship with social welfare initiatives. His reforms influenced education and charitable work across Germany. He continued his philanthropic and scholarly activities until his death in 1727.

Adam Sedgwick was a prominent 19th-century English geologist and Anglican priest. He served as the Woodwardian Professor of Geology at the University of Cambridge for over five decades. Sedgwick made foundational contributions to the classification of stratigraphic layers, particularly in identifying and defining the Cambrian period. His extensive field studies across Wales and other regions advanced the understanding of Earth's geological history. A mentor to young scientists, he notably influenced Charles Darwin early in his career. Sedgwick's legacy endures in modern geological research and education.

Ahmed Cevdet Pasha was a leading intellectual and government official during the Ottoman Empire's Tanzimat era. As a jurist, he oversaw the codification of civil and criminal laws, contributing to the seminal Mecelle, the Ottoman civil code. Cevdet was also a prolific historian, producing comprehensive works on Ottoman history and social organization. He served in senior roles including minister of education and minister of justice, driving educational and legal reforms. His interdisciplinary scholarship spanned sociology, law, and history, making him a central figure in modernizing the empire. Cevdet's legacy endures in the lasting impact of his reforms and writings on Turkish legal and academic institutions.

Born in Aurillac, Paul Doumer began his career teaching mathematics before entering journalism, editing parliamentary debates. Elected deputy in 1888, he championed fiscal reform and colonial expansion. As Governor-General of French Indochina from 1897 to 1902, he modernized infrastructure and education. Doumer later served as Finance Minister, balancing budgets with progressive taxation. In 1931, he became President of France, focusing on economic recovery during the Great Depression. His presidency was cut short by assassination in 1932. Doumer's multilingual scholarship and political leadership left a complex legacy in French and colonial history.

Robert Andrews Millikan conducted the famous oil-drop experiment in 1909, precisely determining the elementary electric charge. As a professor at the University of Chicago and later Caltech, he fostered physics research and helped build Caltech into a leading institution. Millikan also measured the photoelectric effect's constants, providing strong support for Einstein's theory. Awarded the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physics, he served as Caltech's president and championed science education nationwide. Despite controversies over data selection, his work laid foundations for modern atomic physics and shaped America's scientific leadership in the 20th century.

Irving Kaplansky (1917-2006) was born in Toronto, Canada. He earned his Ph.D. under Saunders Mac Lane in 1941. Kaplansky made foundational contributions to group theory, ring theory, and operator algebras. He taught at the University of Chicago for over four decades, mentoring many future mathematicians. Kaplansky authored influential textbooks, including Modular Representations of Finite Groups. He served as president of the American Mathematical Society from 1983 to 1985. His clear expository style and generous collaboration earned him great respect in the mathematical community.

Katsuko Saruhashi (March 22, 1920 – January 29, 2007) was a pioneering Japanese geochemist. She developed innovative techniques to measure carbon dioxide and other gases in seawater, providing key insights into ocean chemistry and the global carbon cycle. Her research laid the foundation for modern marine geochemistry and environmental science. In 1980, she became the first woman president of the Geochemical Society. Saruhashi also championed the advancement of women in science through mentorship and advocacy. Her achievements earned global recognition and inspired generations of scientists, especially women in STEM.

E. D. Hirsch Jr. earned his Ph.D. from Yale and joined the University of Virginia faculty in 1962. In 1987, he published The Cultural Literacy Dictionary and later the influential book Cultural Literacy. His research argued that a shared base of knowledge is essential for reading comprehension and civic dialogue. He founded the Core Knowledge Foundation to implement knowledge-rich curricula in American schools. Hirsch’s ideas spurred debates on education standards, curriculum content, and testing. He continues to lecture and advise on educational policy, shaping discussions on literacy and learning.

Derek Bok earned his law degree from Harvard in 1951 and joined the faculty in 1958. He became dean of Harvard Law School in 1968 before assuming the university presidency in 1971. During his tenure, he expanded financial aid, interdisciplinary programs, and public service initiatives. Bok navigated campus unrest and oversaw construction of new facilities and centers. He returned as interim president in 2006 and continues to lecture on education and leadership. His books on higher education reform remain influential in academic circles.