April 27

Born in 1564 at Petworth House in Sussex, Henry Percy inherited the earldom and vast estates as a young man. A patron of mathematics, astronomy, and alchemy, he studied alongside prominent scholars and amassed a notable library. He served in the House of Lords and held regional offices, including Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland. Despite his loyalty to King James I, he was imprisoned for 16 years after being suspected—though never proven—to have foreknowledge of the Gunpowder Plot. Released in 1621, he spent his remaining years focusing on his intellectual pursuits until his death in 1632.

Born in 1748 on the Ionian island of Chios, Adamantios Korais studied medicine and humanities at European universities. He became a leading figure of the modern Greek Enlightenment, promoting the purification of the Greek language and classical education. Korais published critical editions of ancient texts and wrote influential essays calling for political and cultural renewal among Greeks. His vision of a secular, educated citizenry helped inspire the Greek War of Independence and the creation of a modern Greek state. He hosted salons in Paris, connecting Greek exiles with European intellectuals of the period. Korais died in 1833, leaving a lasting legacy as the cornerstone of modern Greek identity and scholarship.

Born in 1755 in Auvernaux, France, Parseval became a pioneering mathematician and theorist. His most notable contribution is Parseval's identity, a fundamental result in Fourier series. He advanced the study of orthogonal functions and influenced mathematical analysis. Although underrecognized in his lifetime, his theorem remains central to signal processing and engineering. He died in 1836, leaving a lasting legacy in mathematics.

Born in 1759 in London, Wollstonecraft emerged as a leading advocate for gender equality. Her seminal work, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman', challenged societal norms and education systems. She wrote across genres, including history and novels, to explore themes of autonomy and justice. Her ideas laid the groundwork for modern feminist thought and inspired later generations of activists. She died in 1797 after giving birth to her daughter Mary Shelley, leaving a profound intellectual legacy.

Born in 1788 in London, Cockerell trained under leading neoclassical architects. He traveled extensively in Greece and Italy, documenting ancient monuments and ruins. His archaeological research informed his architectural practice, visible in building designs across Britain. He authored influential texts on classical architecture and served as Director of the British Museum. He died in 1863, remembered for his scholarly contributions to both architecture and archaeology.

Born in 1820 in Derby, England, Spencer initially trained in engineering and the sciences. He developed a philosophical system that applied evolutionary concepts to society and ethics. Coining the phrase 'survival of the fittest', he sought to explain social development through natural selection. His multi-volume 'Principles of Sociology' and other works shaped Victorian intellectual thought. He died in 1903, leaving a controversial yet influential legacy in social theory.

William Hudson was a New Zealand-born engineer who became the inaugural commissioner of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority in Australia. Appointed in 1949, he directed the construction of one of the world’s largest hydro-electric and irrigation schemes in a remote alpine environment. Hudson oversaw the development of dams, tunnels, and power stations, coordinating a workforce drawn from over thirty countries. His leadership and innovative engineering solutions ensured the project’s success and economic benefits for southeastern Australia. Hudson retired in 1967 and received numerous honors, including knighthood, for his contributions to public infrastructure. He passed away in 1978, leaving a legacy of engineering excellence.

Wallace Carothers was an American organic chemist whose research at DuPont led to the invention of nylon, the first fully synthetic fiber. His work in polymer chemistry also produced neoprene, the first synthetic rubber, transforming materials science in the 20th century. Educated at the University of Illinois and Harvard, Carothers combined rigorous academic training with industrial research. He pioneered concepts of polymer chain formation and molecular weight control that underpin modern plastics. Despite his professional success, Carothers struggled with personal challenges and tragically died by suicide in 1937. His breakthroughs laid the groundwork for countless applications in textiles, engineering, and consumer goods.

Bruno Beger (1911–2009) was a German anthropologist who conducted ethnographic and craniometric studies under the Nazi regime’s Ahnenerbe organization. In the late 1930s and 1940s, he participated in expeditions to measure and classify human subjects based on racial theories, including work at Auschwitz concentration camp. After World War II, he was tried and convicted as an accomplice in crimes against humanity but served a reduced sentence. He later resumed academic work in ethnology, though his reputation remained marred by his wartime activities. Beger’s life story serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of science for ideological ends. His research and ethics continue to provoke debate within anthropology and history.

Philip Abelson (1913–2004) was a pioneering American physicist and nuclear chemist credited with the discovery of neptunium-237. He played a key role in the Manhattan Project and later championed nuclear energy research. As editor of Science magazine from 1962 to 1984, he transformed it into a leading voice in global scientific discourse. Abelson was awarded the Enrico Fermi Award and served on numerous national science committees. His work bridged laboratory breakthroughs and public policy, shaping modern science journalism and research funding.

Irving Adler (1913–2012) was a multifaceted scholar who combined his expertise in mathematics with a passion for education. He authored over 80 books, including accessible introductions to prime numbers, geometry, and physical science, inspiring countless students. A committed activist for civil rights and world peace, Adler faced blacklisting during the McCarthy era. He later taught at various colleges and continued writing well into his nineties. His clear, enthusiastic style made complex topics approachable and fostered a love of learning worldwide.

Mark Krasnosel'skii was a Ukrainian mathematician renowned for his contributions to nonlinear functional analysis. He introduced the Krasnoselskii fixed point theorem, which has become a fundamental tool in topology and differential equations. His work bridged the gaps between analysis, topology, and applied mathematics. He authored several influential monographs and collaborated with leading mathematicians of his time. Throughout his career, he mentored numerous students and helped establish rigorous mathematical research in Ukraine.