April 11

James Parkinson was a London-based surgeon and apothecary who published the groundbreaking Essay on the Shaking Palsy in 1817. In this work, he provided the first detailed clinical description of the symptoms that later bore his name. Beyond medicine, Parkinson pursued interests in geology and paleontology, collecting fossils and debating contemporary theories of Earth’s history. He was active in social reform movements, campaigning for better sanitation and the welfare of the poor. Parkinson’s interdisciplinary curiosity exemplified the spirit of Enlightenment science. His legacy endures in the ongoing studies and treatments of movement disorders.

Macedonio Melloni conducted groundbreaking research on heat radiation and developed the thermopile to measure infrared rays. His experiments demonstrated that radiant heat follows the same laws as light, advancing the study of thermal radiation. Melloni held a professorship at the University of Pavia and influenced the next generation of physicists. He collaborated with leading scientists of his day and presented his findings to the scientific academies of Europe. His work laid the foundation for later developments in thermodynamics and spectroscopy. Melloni’s careful measurements and experimental design remain a milestone in the history of physics.

William Wallace Campbell (1862–1938) was an American astronomer renowned for his pioneering work on stellar radial velocities and the solar corona. He served as director of the Lick Observatory from 1901 to 1930, leading multiple solar eclipse expeditions. Under his leadership, the observatory made significant advances in spectroscopic techniques and astrophotography. Campbell also served as president of the University of California and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. His efforts helped establish astrophysics and solar physics as rigorous scientific disciplines in the United States.

Mark Keppel (1867–1928) was an influential American educator and superintendent in California. He introduced progressive teaching methods and standardized testing to improve student learning. Keppel championed expanded public school access and professional training for teachers. He oversaw the rapid growth of schools in Los Angeles County during the early 20th century. The Keppel Union School District and several schools bear his name as a testament to his impact. His reforms helped lay the foundation for modern public education in Southern California.

Ivane Javakhishvili (1876–1940) was a preeminent Georgian historian and one of the founders of Tbilisi State University. His research on Georgian and Caucasian history established critical scholarly frameworks. Javakhishvili authored seminal works on medieval Georgian literature and political institutions. He also served as a professor and rector, shaping generations of Georgian intellectuals. During Soviet rule, he navigated political pressures to preserve national heritage and education. His legacy endures in Georgia’s academic institutions and historical scholarship.

Bernhard Schmidt was an Estonian-German astronomer and optician born in 1879. He is best known for inventing the Schmidt camera, a wide-angle telescope design that revolutionized astrophotography. He built precision optics that improved imaging of faint celestial objects. His work at the Hamburg Observatory led to significant advances in astronomical instrumentation. Despite health challenges, he continued refining lenses and contributing to observatory technology until his death in 1935. Today his telescope design remains fundamental in modern astronomical surveys.

Percy Lavon Julian was born in 1899 and overcame racial barriers to become a leading chemist. He pioneered the synthesis of physostigmine for glaucoma treatment and developed processes for large-scale production of steroids from plant sources. Julian's work led to affordable manufacturing of cortisone, progesterone, and other important drugs. He founded his own chemical company and held over 130 patents in his lifetime. Julian was one of the first African-Americans elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He dedicated himself to mentoring young scientists and advocating for civil rights. His scientific achievements laid the groundwork for modern medicinal chemistry.

Born in 1914, Dorothy Lewis Bernstein was an American mathematician and educator who made significant contributions to numerical analysis and mathematics education. She earned her doctorate in the 1940s and joined the faculty at Hunter College in New York City, where she helped develop computer science programs within the mathematics department. Bernstein served as president of the Mathematical Association of America, advocating for improved teaching methods and greater inclusion of women in the field. As a pioneer for women in STEM, she promoted mentorship and curriculum development that influenced future generations. Her dedication to both research and teaching left a lasting impact on American mathematical communities until her death in 1988.

Born in 1919, Raymond Carr was an English historian and academic who specialized in modern Spanish history. Educated at Cambridge, he joined St Antony's College, Oxford, where he served as Warden and produced seminal works such as Modern Spain 1875–1975. Carr's thorough research and clear writing helped shape the study of Spain's political and social transformations. He was knighted in 1987 for his services to historical scholarship. His career spanned over five decades, during which he mentored generations of historians before his passing in 2015.

Born in 1925, Viktor Masing was an Estonian botanist who specialized in plant ecology and wetland ecosystems. He conducted extensive field research on bogs and marsh vegetation, developing key concepts in mire ecology. Masing served as a professor at the University of Tartu, where he mentored a generation of ecologists. He authored numerous scientific publications and contributed to international conferences on conservation. Masing's work helped raise awareness of the importance of wetland protection in Estonia and beyond. He passed away in 2001, leaving a lasting legacy in ecological science.

Karl Rebane was an Estonian physicist known for his research in condensed matter physics. He held leadership positions at major academic institutions, including serving as rector of a leading technical university. Rebane later became president of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, promoting scientific research and collaboration. He authored numerous scholarly papers and mentored a generation of scientists. His work advanced the understanding of semiconductor physics in Estonia and beyond. Rebane passed away in 2007, leaving a lasting impact on the country's scientific community.

Lokesh Chandra is an Indian historian born in 1927, renowned for his expertise in Buddhist art and Asian studies. He has authored and edited numerous books on Buddhist culture, philosophy, and history. Chandra served as the president of the International Association of Buddhist Studies and was honored with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. His research has bridged Eastern and Western academic traditions, promoting cross-cultural understanding. He continues to influence scholars worldwide through his prolific work and lectures.