April 24

Thomas Fincke was born in 1561 in Flensburg and studied at the universities of Rostock and Padua. In 1583, he published 'Geometria Rotundi', where he coined the terms tangent and secant for trigonometric functions. He served as professor of mathematics at the University of Copenhagen for over six decades, influencing generations of scholars. Fincke’s work helped standardize mathematical terminology and contributed to the development of early modern geometry. He died in 1656, leaving a legacy as one of Denmark’s most distinguished scientists.

Eleazar Wheelock was born on April 22, 1711, in Windham, Connecticut. He served as a Congregational minister and missionary, with a vision to educate Native Americans. In 1769, he established Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, originally aimed at training Native American youth. Under his leadership, Dartmouth grew into a leading institution of higher education in early America. Wheelock emphasized classical curricula and religious instruction, reflecting his dual roles as minister and educator. Despite controversies over student admissions and funding, his legacy endures through the thriving college he founded.

Granville Stanley Hall was born on February 1, 1844, in Ashfield, Massachusetts. He earned the first American Ph.D. in psychology and studied under Wilhelm Wundt in Germany. Hall founded the American Psychological Association in 1892 and served as its first president. He also established the first American psychology laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. Hall was a pioneer in child and adolescent developmental theory, publishing influential works on adolescence. He died on April 24, 1924, leaving a profound impact on the establishment of psychology as a scientific discipline.

Ernst-Robert Grawitz (1899–1945) was a German physician and high-ranking SS officer. He served as Reich Physician of the SS and police during the Nazi era from 1940 to 1945. Grawitz oversaw SS medical services and played a role in the regime's racial hygiene policies. Previously, he was Chief of the German Red Cross from 1937 to 1940. Under his leadership, SS medical units were integrated into the Waffen-SS. He was implicated in the organization of medical experiments and euthanasia programs. In the final days of World War II, Grawitz committed suicide on April 24, 1945.

Max von Laue (1879–1960) was a German physicist renowned for his work in atomic physics. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1914 for demonstrating X-ray diffraction by crystals. Von Laue's discovery provided a fundamental tool for determining crystal structures. He held professorships at prestigious universities, including Berlin and Munich. During his career, he mentored future Nobel laureates and fostered scientific collaboration. Von Laue spoke out against political interference in science during the Nazi era. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern solid-state physics and crystallography.

Gerhard Domagk was a pioneering German bacteriologist who led research at IG Farben laboratories. In 1932, he discovered the sulfonamide compound Prontosil, the first commercially available antibiotic, revolutionizing the treatment of bacterial infections. For this breakthrough, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1939, though Nazi authorities forced him to decline the honor. Domagk continued research in immunology and pathology, contributing to our understanding of antibiotics and resistance. His work paved the way for modern antimicrobial therapy, saving countless lives.

Erol Güngör was a pioneering Turkish scholar born in 1938 who made significant contributions to sociology, psychology, and ethics. He studied the interplay between tradition and modernity in Turkish society, exploring how cultural values shape individual and collective behavior. Güngör’s work examined topics such as national identity, moral development, and the social psychology of revolutions. He published extensively on the role of education and social institutions in fostering ethical awareness and responsible citizenship. As a professor at Ankara University, he influenced a generation of social scientists and policymakers. Güngör advocated for a balance between preserving cultural heritage and embracing necessary social reforms. He passed away on April 24, 1983, leaving a legacy as one of Turkey’s foremost thinkers on cultural and social dynamics.

Eugene Morrison Stoner (1922-1997) was an American engineer whose groundbreaking work in small arms design revolutionized modern military rifles. As chief engineer at ArmaLite, he developed the AR-10 and its successor, the AR-15, which later evolved into the U.S. military's M16 rifle. Stoner's innovative use of lightweight materials and direct impingement gas systems set new standards for infantry weapons. After his tenure at ArmaLite, he continued arms development at Colt and other firms worldwide. His designs form the basis for countless firearms still in use today, making him one of the most influential figures in 20th-century weapon engineering.

Nüzhet Gökdoğan (1910-2003) was a Turkish astronomer and mathematician known for her significant contributions to astronomy education and research in Turkey. As one of the country's first female astronomers, she served as a professor at Istanbul University and conducted pioneering studies on variable stars. Gökdoğan played a central role in establishing Turkey's first astronomical observatory and fostering international collaborations with European institutions. She authored textbooks and scholarly articles, inspiring future generations of scientists. Her dedication laid the groundwork for modern astronomical programs in Turkey, and she received numerous honors for her academic leadership.

Born in 1910 in Jiangsu Province, Fei Xiaotong studied sociology at Peking University and later at the London School of Economics. His groundbreaking fieldwork in Kaixiangong village led to the seminal work 'Peasant Life in China' (1939), which applied Western sociological methods to Chinese rural society. After 1949, he held professorships at Yunnan University and Peking University, mentoring generations of scholars. Fei advised the Chinese government on ethnic policy and rural reform, shaping national approaches to development. He blended rigorous academic research with practical policy insights, earning recognition as the father of Chinese sociology. Until his death in 2005, he remained active in research, writing, and fostering international academic exchanges.