March 27

Born around 1488 in Istanbul, he rose through the ranks of the imperial court to become Grand Vizier in 1539. A skilled administrator and diplomat, he also composed historical works that chronicled Ottoman achievements. His tenure was marked by efforts to reform the palace bureaucracy and manage complex relations with European powers. Lütfi Pasha advocated for merit-based appointments and closer scrutiny of provincial governance. Despite his accomplishments, he fell from favor and was executed in 1564. His writings remain valuable sources for understanding the politics and culture of the mid-16th century Ottoman Empire.

Active in the mid-16th century, he studied Roman law and wrote commentaries on classical Latin texts. Maggi applied his legal expertise to translate important works and advise on diplomatic matters. He also published treatises on fortification design, reflecting his deep interest in military science. His writings on agriculture and rural economy blended practical guidance with classical references. Maggi’s broad scholarship exemplifies the Renaissance ideal of the well-rounded intellect. Although less celebrated today, his works influenced both academic and military fields of his time.

Born in 1805, Gabriel Bibron collaborated closely with André Duméril at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris. He described and catalogued hundreds of new species of reptiles and amphibians, contributing significantly to 19th-century taxonomy. Bibron co-authored seminal works on herpetology, combining field observations with meticulous anatomical studies. His research laid the foundation for modern systematic zoology of amphibians and reptiles. He passed away in 1848, leaving a lasting legacy in natural history.

Born in 1797 in Berlin, Wilhelm Beer managed the family banking business while pursuing astronomy as a passionate amateur. In collaboration with Johann Heinrich Mädler, he published the "Mappa Selenographica" between 1834 and 1836, the most accurate lunar map of its time. He operated a private observatory in Berlin, where he conducted systematic observations of the Moon and planets. His work laid the foundation for modern selenography and lunar cartography. Beer also studied variable stars and contributed to early celestial mechanics research. He died on March 27, 1850, remembered for bridging finance and scientific discovery.

Born in Lyon in 1800 as the son of physicist André-Marie Ampère, Jean-Jacques Ampère developed a passion for languages and literature. He conducted pioneering research in comparative philology, focusing on Scandinavian and Celtic literary traditions. His lectures at the Collège de France introduced French audiences to Norse mythology and early European epics. Ampère's work bridged the study of language, history, and culture, influencing future generations of philologists. He authored several seminal texts on ancient poetry and the origins of European languages. He died on March 27, 1864, leaving a significant academic legacy in humanities.

Born in 1803 in Bourg-en-Bresse, Quinet studied at the École normale supérieure and developed liberal political views. He published influential works on the French Revolution and cultural criticism, including "Histoire de la Révolution française." Quinet held the chair of modern history at the Collège de France, where his lectures drew large audiences. His outspoken republicanism led to exile during the Second Empire, living in Switzerland and Belgium. After the fall of Napoleon III, he returned to France and served in the National Assembly. He died on March 27, 1875, leaving a legacy as a fiery orator and historian.

Born in 1803, Löwig studied medicine and chemistry at the University of Heidelberg and Leipzig. In 1825, he isolated bromine from seawater, independently of other researchers, marking a milestone in inorganic chemistry. As a professor at the University of Heidelberg, he taught and mentored future chemists. Löwig published papers on alkaloids and reaction mechanisms, contributing to the foundations of organic chemistry. He was known for his rigorous laboratory methods and precise experimental records. He died on March 27, 1890, leaving a legacy as a dedicated researcher and educator.

Andreas Anagnostakis (1826–1897) was a pioneering ophthalmologist who studied at the University of Athens and abroad. He established the Athens Eye Hospital, which became a leading center for treatment and research in Greece. His publications on glaucoma, trachoma, and cataract surgery influenced ophthalmic practices across Europe. Anagnostakis introduced new surgical procedures and fostered public health initiatives against ocular diseases. As a professor, he trained generations of Greek physicians, leaving a lasting legacy in modern ophthalmology.

Alexander Emanuel Agassiz (1835–1910) was a distinguished ichthyologist and engineer who made significant contributions to marine zoology and the mining industry. The son of naturalist Louis Agassiz, he studied at Harvard and later led the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company to great success. Agassiz conducted and funded oceanographic expeditions, collecting specimens and publishing influential research on echinoderms and fish taxonomy. His work enriched museum collections at Harvard and the Smithsonian. As an engineer, he applied scientific principles to mining operations, combining his passions for science and industry. His dual legacy spans groundbreaking biological research and industrial innovation.

Sir James Dewar (1842–1923) was a distinguished chemist and physicist famed for inventing the Dewar flask, the precursor to the modern thermos. As a professor at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the Royal Society, he conducted groundbreaking experiments on liquefying gases, discovering liquid hydrogen. Dewar’s research advanced the understanding of thermodynamics and cryogenics. He also explored rubber chemistry and spectroscopy, publishing numerous scientific papers. His inventions and insights laid the groundwork for industrial and laboratory applications of low-temperature science.

Carl Gottfried Neumann (1832-1925) was a German mathematician and academic renowned for his pioneering research in potential theory. He introduced the concept of Neumann boundary conditions and made significant advances in the study of integral equations. Neumann held professorships at the universities of Königsberg and Leipzig, influencing generations of mathematicians. His theoretical work laid foundations for modern mathematical physics and functional analysis. Today, his name is associated with fundamental theorems and methods in applied mathematics.

William Stern (1871-1938) was a German-American psychologist and philosopher renowned for his foundational work in differential psychology. He coined the term 'intelligence quotient' (IQ) and developed methods for psychological assessment and testing. Stern's personalistic approach emphasized the individuality of human development and cognition. He authored influential texts such as 'Psychology of Early Childhood' and contributed to debates on child development and educational psychology. Fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, Stern continued his research in the United States until his death. His theories shaped modern psychometrics and developmental psychology.