April 28

Born in Paris in 1765, Sylvestre François Lacroix became a leading figure in mathematical education during the early 19th century. He authored comprehensive works such as 'Traité du calcul différentiel et du calcul intégral' and 'Éléments d'algèbre' that served as primary references for students and scholars. His clear exposition and systematic approach helped standardize the teaching of calculus across Europe. Lacroix held academic positions at the École Polytechnique and the University of Paris, where he inspired generations of mathematicians. He died in 1834, leaving a lasting impact on mathematical pedagogy.

Born in 1819 in Maine, Ezra Abbot became a professor at Harvard Divinity School and a prominent figure in American biblical scholarship. He dedicated his career to the critical examination of New Testament manuscripts, improving methods for establishing authoritative texts. His work on the transmission and authenticity of early Christian writings influenced the development of modern textual criticism. Abbot contributed numerous articles and served on the American Bible Revision Committee, laying the groundwork for future translations. He passed away in 1884, remembered for his meticulous scholarship and enduring contributions to theological studies.

Born in Amsterdam in 1838, Tobias Asser studied law at the University of Amsterdam and later served as a professor of international law. He played a central role in organizing the first Hague Peace Conferences and in drafting conventions that laid the foundation for private international law. Asser's efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1911 alongside Alfred Fried for his work in fostering legal cooperation among nations. He authored influential texts on conflict of laws and advocated for arbitration as a means to resolve international disputes. Asser passed away in 1913, leaving a profound impact on the legal frameworks that govern cross-border relationships.

Born in Portsmouth in 1854, Hertha Marks Ayrton overcame educational barriers to study at Cambridge, where she developed her expertise in mathematics and physics. She invented the Ayrton fan to improve safety in coal mines by dispersing noxious gases near lamp flames. Ayrton conducted groundbreaking studies on the behavior of electric arcs and the formation of ripple marks in sand and water, publishing her findings in scientific journals. In 1899, she became the first woman to read her own paper before the Institution of Electrical Engineers. An active suffragist, Ayrton also championed women's rights before passing away in 1923, leaving a legacy as a pioneering female scientist and engineer.

Charles W. Woodworth was a leading American entomologist and professor at the University of California, Berkeley. He helped establish economic entomology as a scientific discipline and consulted for the USDA on pest management. Woodworth authored foundational research on agricultural insects and developed sampling techniques still used today. He founded and chaired the university’s Entomology Department, inspiring many students through field studies and publications. His work laid the groundwork for modern integrated pest management programs, influencing agriculture and public health. Woodworth remained active in research and teaching until his death in 1940.

Georgy Voronoy made seminal contributions to number theory and spatial analysis through his work on Voronoi tessellations. After graduating from St. Petersburg University, he held academic positions and conducted research on quadratic forms. Voronoy’s partitioning of space into regions closest to given points has become fundamental in fields ranging from physics to computer science. He published his key findings in 1908, influencing later advances in crystallography and geography. In addition to pure mathematics, Voronoy taught at universities in Warsaw and Kyiv, inspiring a generation of scholars. His early death at age 40 cut short a promising career, but his diagrams remain a vital tool in modern science.

Jan Hendrik Oort was one of the foremost astronomers of the 20th century, whose research transformed the field of galactic astronomy. He formulated Oort’s constants, revealing the rotation curve of our galaxy, and postulated the existence of a vast reservoir of icy bodies—now known as the Oort Cloud—at the edge of the solar system. Oort also pioneered radio astronomy, leading the development of the Dwingeloo and Westerbork telescopes. As director of Leiden Observatory, he mentored generations of astronomers and received numerous honors for his groundbreaking work.

Harold Bernard Stallard won bronze in the 1500 meters at the 1924 Paris Olympics as part of Britain’s famed athletic squad. After retiring from sport, he pursued medicine, specializing in ophthalmology and earning acclaim for innovative surgical techniques. Stallard balanced dual careers, publishing research on eye disease and mentoring young surgeons while maintaining his sporting legacy. His life exemplified excellence both on the track and in medical science, leaving a lasting impact in two very different fields.

Kurt Gödel was an Austrian logician, mathematician, and philosopher, born in 1906. He proved his famous incompleteness theorems in 1931, showing inherent limitations of formal axiomatic systems. Gödel's work influenced the foundations of mathematics, logic, and computer science. After fleeing Europe in 1940, he joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. His deep philosophical writings explored concepts of truth, provability, and the nature of mathematical reality.

Arthur Võõbus specialized in the study of Syriac Christianity and Near Eastern manuscripts. Born in Estonia, he fled Soviet occupation and continued his academic career in the United States. Võõbus cataloged thousands of Christian manuscripts and contributed to the Syriac language scholarship. He published seminal works on Eastern Christian rites and history. His research opened up new avenues in the study of early Christianity and manuscript preservation.

Michel Mohrt was born in Brest, France and developed a passion for literature and history from an early age. He served in World War II before embarking on a prolific writing career, producing novels, essays, and historical works. His deep explorations of maritime culture and French heritage earned him critical acclaim and several literary awards. In 1985, he was elected to the prestigious Académie française in recognition of his contributions to French letters. Mohrt also translated influential works into French, bridging cultural gaps between nations. His lucid prose and scholarly rigor made him a respected figure in both literary and academic circles. He died in 2011, leaving a rich legacy of thoughtful writing on history and human experience.

Simin Daneshvar was born in Shiraz and became the first major Iranian woman novelist. She earned a Ph.D. in literature from the University of Cambridge and returned to teach at the University of Tehran. Her 1969 novel "Savushun" (often translated as "Death of Yazdgerd") became a bestseller and a cornerstone of modern Persian literature. Daneshvar also translated numerous works from English to Persian, introducing global literature to Iranian readers. She served as a cultural bridge and mentor, influencing generations of writers and scholars. Throughout her career, she received several national and international awards for her literary contributions. She died in 2012, remembered as a trailblazer for women in Middle Eastern literature.