March 22

Born in the mid-14th century, Dietrich of Nieheim served as a bishop in the Catholic Church and as a canon of Würzburg. He witnessed the turmoil of the Western Schism and penned detailed accounts of the conflict between rival popes. His works, including the De schismate and De iusto imperio, remain important sources for understanding medieval church politics. Dietrich combined his ecclesiastical duties with scholarly pursuits, demonstrating keen legal and historical insight. He died in 1418, leaving behind a legacy as both a cleric and an influential historian.

Born in 1488, Johannes Magnus became Archbishop of Uppsala and served the Catholic Church during the Reformation. Exiled from Sweden in 1527, he settled in Rome and continued his ecclesiastical work. He is best known for his two-volume Historia de omnibus Gothorum Sueonumque regibus, a historical and legendary account of Swedish kings. His writings influenced national identity and sparked interest in Scandinavian heritage. Johannes died in Rome in 1544, leaving a legacy as both a theologian and historian.

Born in 1798 in Pontarlier, France, Bobillier studied at the École Polytechnique and later taught at the École des Mines. He made significant contributions to the theory of polycentric geometry and developed methods in analytic geometry. His theorems on the properties of conic sections and geometric transformations were widely recognized. Bobillier published several influential papers and taught numerous students who carried on his work. He died in 1840, leaving a legacy in mathematical education and research in France.

Ruggero Oddi was born in Perugia, Italy, in 1864 and studied medicine at the University of Perugia before completing his training at the University of Rome. He served as a professor of physiology and anatomical sciences at several Italian universities, where he conducted groundbreaking research on gastrointestinal function. In 1887, Oddi described the muscular valve between the common bile duct and duodenum, now known as the sphincter of Oddi, which controls the flow of bile and pancreatic juices. His detailed anatomical and physiological studies were published in leading medical journals and influenced surgical approaches to biliary diseases. Oddi also investigated vascular and neural mechanisms in various organ systems, demonstrating his versatility as a researcher. Despite health challenges, he continued to lecture and publish until his death in Chicago in 1913. His work remains integral to gastroenterology, and the sphincter of Oddi is a fundamental concept taught to medical students worldwide.

William Macewen was born on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in 1848 and studied medicine at the University of Glasgow. He became a pioneering general surgeon and is often regarded as one of the fathers of modern neurosurgery. In 1876, he described 'Macewen's triangle,' an anatomical landmark used in neurosurgical approaches to the frontal sinus and brain. He performed his first successful brain tumour removal in 1876 and went on to refine intracranial surgery techniques. Macewen was an early adopter of Joseph Lister's antiseptic methods and developed his own approaches to prevent infection in surgical wounds. He held the Regius Chair of Surgery at the University of Glasgow and published influential textbooks on surgical and neurological procedures. His work significantly reduced operative mortality and shaped the practices of neurosurgeons worldwide. Macewen died in Glasgow in 1924, leaving a legacy of innovation that continues to influence surgical practice today.

Gerald Bull was born in 1928 in North Bay, Ontario, and earned his degree in civil engineering from the University of Toronto. His early career focused on artillery research at McGill University, where he developed innovative concepts for extended-range guns. In the 1960s, Bull founded Project HARP (High Altitude Research Project) to explore the use of gun-launched projectiles for atmospheric and space research, achieving record-breaking altitudes. He later founded Space Research Corporation, pursuing plans for massive 'superguns' capable of launching payloads into orbit or delivering long-range firepower. Bull's collaboration with various governments, including controversial work for Iraq, placed him at the center of international scrutiny. He was assassinated in Brussels in 1990, bringing an abrupt end to his groundbreaking but contentious career. His research continues to influence aerospace engineering and ballistics studies.

Born in 1913, Max Beloff studied at Cambridge and became a leading authority on British constitutional history. He wrote influential works such as 'Imperialism and the Liberal Mind,' examining the evolution of democratic institutions. Beloff held academic posts at the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics before serving as Principal of University College London from 1979 to 1983. A life peer from 1981, he contributed to debates in the House of Lords on education and European integration. His rigorous scholarship and clear writing style made complex political ideas accessible to a broad audience. Beloff remained active in academic and public life until his death in 1999, leaving a profound impact on the study of political history.

Janet Akyüz Mattei dedicated her career to advancing the study of variable stars and fostering international collaboration among astronomers. She served as the long-time director of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), expanding its global network of observers and researchers. Her leadership led to significant discoveries in stellar variability and improved observational techniques. Mattei was a passionate advocate for public outreach and education, inspiring students and amateur astronomers. Her legacy endures in the countless light curves and scientific studies generated under her guidance.

Born in 1924 in Uddingston, Scotland, he studied at the University of Glasgow and University of Edinburgh. He developed propranolol, the first clinically successful beta blocker, revolutionizing heart disease treatment. He also discovered cimetidine, the first effective drug for peptic ulcers. In 1988, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his contributions. Knighted for his groundbreaking work, Black pioneered rational drug design principles that transformed pharmacology until his death in 2010.

David Waltz (1943–2012) was an American computer scientist and academic celebrated for his contributions to artificial intelligence. He pioneered techniques in constraint satisfaction problems and case-based reasoning. Waltz also made significant advances in natural language processing and computer vision. He served as a professor at Columbia University and later as Dean of Engineering. His research influenced the development of modern AI systems and continues to impact the field.

Neil L. Whitehead (1956–2012) was an English anthropologist and author specializing in Mesoamerican studies. He held academic positions at several universities and conducted extensive fieldwork in Latin America. Whitehead published several books on indigenous rituals and belief systems. He explored the intersections of culture, ecology, and power in his work. His writings expanded the understanding of indigenous belief systems and their modern contexts.

Johan van Hulst was born in 1911 and served as a member of the Dutch Senate, representing the Christian Democratic Appeal. As an educator, he lectured on pedagogy and authored scholarly works on education. During World War II, he courageously organized the rescue of Jewish children, an act honored by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations. After the war, he continued to impact politics and academia, advocating for social welfare and reform. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 106.