April 22

Born in Herrenberg in 1592, Wilhelm Schickard trained in theology before pursuing astronomy and mathematics. In 1623, he designed an early mechanical calculator capable of performing basic arithmetic operations. Schickard’s correspondence with Johannes Kepler aided landmark discoveries in planetary motion. He published treatises on timekeeping devices and astronomical observations that influenced his contemporaries. Though his calculating machine was lost to history, its rediscovery in the 20th century highlighted his ingenuity. His work prefigured the development of modern computing machines and engineering principles.

Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) was a German philosopher, anthropologist, and academic. He is widely regarded as a central figure in modern philosophy. His works, including the Critique of Pure Reason, revolutionized epistemology and metaphysics. Kant introduced the concept of transcendental idealism and explored the limits of human understanding. His ideas on morality and ethics, such as the categorical imperative, continue to influence moral philosophy. He also made contributions to anthropology, theology, and the history of science.

Solomon Caesar Malan (1812–1894) was a Swiss-English orientalist, translator, and linguist. He mastered numerous Asian and Middle Eastern languages, translating works from Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic. Malan’s translation of the Upanishads and other Hindu scriptures brought Eastern thought to Victorian audiences. He served as a clergyman in London and continued his scholarly pursuits alongside his religious duties. His meticulous approach to translation emphasized fidelity to original texts and detailed scholarly notes. Malan’s work influenced subsequent generations of Orientalists and broadened Western understanding of Asian cultures.

Emily Davies (1830–1921) was a British suffragist, educator, and advocate for women's higher education. In 1869, she co-founded Girton College at the University of Cambridge, the first residential college for women. Davies campaigned tirelessly for women’s admission to universities and equal academic opportunities. Her writings and lectures helped shape public opinion on women’s rights during the Victorian era. She served as Mistress of Girton College, overseeing its early curriculum and growth. Davies’s efforts paved the way for expanded educational access and inspired future generations of women scholars.

Born in Antwerp in 1858, Mayer van den Bergh devoted his life to collecting and studying fine art. He amassed a significant catalogue of works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Hans Memling, and other masters of the Flemish Primitives. His scholarly research deepened the understanding of medieval and Renaissance art in Belgium. After his sudden death in 1901, his mother established the Museum Mayer van den Bergh in his honor, opening his private collection to the public. His work as a historian and collector remains a cornerstone of Belgian art heritage.

Born in Vienna in 1876, Bárány studied medicine and specialized in otology, focusing on the inner ear’s balance mechanisms. His experiments on vestibular function led to breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating dizziness and vertigo. In 1914, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries. Bárány held professorships in Vienna and later at Uppsala University in Sweden after political turmoil in Austria. He continued to advance the field of otology until his death in 1936, leaving a profound impact on modern neurology and audiology.

Born in Vienna, Otto Rank became a close collaborator of Sigmund Freud and a leading figure in the early psychoanalytic movement. He introduced revolutionary ideas in his seminal work 'The Trauma of Birth', exploring the role of birth experiences in shaping personality. After breaking with Freud, Rank developed his own theory of individual psychology and emphasized creativity and will in human development. He emigrated to the United States in 1926 and taught at Columbia University, influencing generations of psychologists. Rank's prolific writings and innovative theories left a lasting impact on depth psychology and psychotherapy.

Born in Ljubljana, Izidor Cankar was a passionate scholar of Slovenian art and cultural heritage. He authored significant historical monographs and essays that shaped national identity. As a diplomat, he represented Slovenia at key European cultural institutions and fostered artistic exchange. His writings spanned fiction and non-fiction, reflecting a deep engagement with literature and history. Cankar's leadership in the arts left a lasting legacy on Slovenia's cultural institutions and international reputation.

Born in Copenhagen, Harald Bohr was the younger brother of Nobel laureate Niels Bohr and carved his own path in mathematics. He made groundbreaking contributions to analysis, including the Bohr–Mollerup theorem and the theory of almost periodic functions. Parallel to his academic career, Bohr was an elite footballer, winning a silver medal with Denmark at the 1908 London Olympics. He served as a professor at the University of Copenhagen, mentoring future generations of mathematicians. Bohr's dual legacy in both sports and mathematics remains inspirational.

Born in Castelnuovo al Volturno, Vittorio Jano joined Fiat before moving to Alfa Romeo in the early 1920s, where he designed the legendary P2 racing engine. His innovative work on straight-six and V12 powerplants dominated Grand Prix racing throughout the 1930s. After World War II, Jano was recruited by Ferrari and Lancia, creating engines that became benchmarks of performance and reliability. His designs, such as the Colombo V12, influenced automotive engineering for decades. Jano's blend of technical genius and racing passion cemented his reputation as one of the greatest engine designers in history.

Born in Fatfield, County Durham, Harold Jeffreys made seminal contributions to the mathematical theory of probability, introducing the Jeffreys prior in Bayesian inference. He conducted groundbreaking research on the Earth's interior, advancing seismology and our understanding of geological processes. Jeffreys also worked in astronomy, publishing influential texts on the origin of the solar system and planetary motion. Knighted in 1946, he served as President of the Royal Astronomical Society and was awarded the Royal Medal for his scientific achievements. His interdisciplinary approach continues to inspire researchers across mathematics and earth sciences.

J. Robert Oppenheimer was an American theoretical physicist best known as the scientific director of the Manhattan Project. At Los Alamos, he guided a team of scientists in creating the first nuclear weapons. After World War II, he became a vocal advocate for international control of nuclear power and ethical science. He served as chairman of the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission. Oppenheimer also taught physics at prestigious universities, influencing generations of researchers. His complex legacy blends groundbreaking scientific achievements with profound moral questions about nuclear technology.