May 03

Born in 1662, John Leverett the Younger graduated from Harvard College and pursued a career spanning law, politics, and academia. In 1708, he became the fifth president of Harvard College, where he implemented curriculum reforms and strengthened the institution’s finances. Leverett also served in the Massachusetts legislature and as an associate justice of the Superior Court, reflecting his commitment to public service. He introduced new teaching methods and encouraged scholarly pursuits among colonists. Leverett’s leadership helped Harvard evolve into a more modern university and shaped early American intellectual life. He died on May 3, 1724, and is remembered as a foundational figure in colonial education and governance.

Born in Boston in 1714, he graduated from Harvard College in 1732 and began a lifetime academic career. In 1738, he became the inaugural Hollis Professor, a position he held until his retirement in 1769. He introduced Newtonian physics to American students and emphasized empirical observation. Winthrop published papers on comets, the aurora borealis, and the transit of Venus in the Philosophical Transactions. He advocated for establishing scientific societies in the American colonies to foster research collaboration. He died in 1779, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of American scientific education.

Born in Horb in 1720, he entered the Benedictine order and studied at the Abbey of St. Blaise. As abbot from 1764, he guided the monastery through reforms and promoted scholarly research. He authored authoritative works on church music, liturgy, and the history of medieval papal documents. Gerbert compiled extensive collections of manuscripts, making them accessible to scholars across Europe. His meticulous approach laid the foundation for modern critical editions of liturgical texts. He died in 1793, remembered as a leading figure in ecclesiastical scholarship.

Born in Findlay, Ohio, in 1871, he earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago. He joined the University of Chicago faculty, focusing on infectious disease pathology. While studying an outbreak in Montana, he isolated the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii in 1906. He traveled to Mexico to investigate typhus, demonstrating the disease’s transmission by lice. Ricketts conducted his research at great personal risk and ultimately died from typhus in 1910. His work led to the recognition of Rickettsia as a distinct genus and advanced understanding of rickettsial diseases.

Clément Ader was a self-taught French engineer born in 1841. He designed and tested the Avion III in 1897, an early attempt at powered flight. Although his flights lacked sustained control, they paved the way for future aviation breakthroughs. Ader held patents in telephony and contributed to France's early telephone systems. He was honored by the French government for his inventive achievements. Ader's visionary work inspired aviators and engineers in the turn-of-the-century era.

Harry A. Miller was an American mechanical engineer and pioneering automotive innovator. Born in 1875, he founded the Miller Company and developed some of the most advanced racing engines of his time. His designs powered numerous Indy 500 and land speed record vehicles in the 1920s and 1930s. Miller’s engines featured innovations such as aluminum blocks, dual overhead camshafts, and superchargers, setting new standards for performance. After facing financial challenges during the Great Depression, Miller's work continued to influence engine designers for decades. He died in 1943, leaving a profound mark on American motorsports engineering.

Dr. Zakir Husain was an influential Indian academic, education reformer, and politician, born in 1897. He co-founded Jamia Millia Islamia University and served as its Vice Chancellor, promoting modern and inclusive education. A proponent of secularism and social justice, Husain became the Governor of Bihar and later the Vice President of India. In 1967, he was elected as the country’s third President, the first Muslim to hold the office. His tenure was marked by advocacy for cultural development and educational advancement across India. Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1963, he is remembered as a visionary leader who bridged academia and public service. Husain died in office in 1969, leaving a lasting educational and political legacy.

Lev Pontryagin was a leading Soviet mathematician who made groundbreaking advances in algebraic topology. He introduced Pontryagin classes, which became central to the field of differential topology. He co-developed Pontryagin duality and formulated the Pontryagin maximum principle in control theory. Pontryagin served as a professor at Moscow State University and influenced generations of mathematicians. His work earned him the Lenin Prize and lasting recognition in mathematics.

Guenter Wendt was a German-American aerospace engineer who became NASA's renowned pad leader. He oversaw the final preparations and safety checks of spacecraft on the launch pad for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Nicknamed the 'Pad Leader', he was respected by astronauts for his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to safety. His work contributed to historic achievements including the first American in space and the Apollo moon landings. After retirement, he remained an advocate for space exploration and mentor to new generations of engineers. He passed away on May 3, 2010, remembered as a behind-the-scenes hero of human spaceflight.

David Morris Kern was born in 1909 and pursued a career in pharmacy research. He co-developed Orajel, a topical anesthetic that revolutionized over-the-counter dental care. The product became widely adopted for relieving toothaches and gum discomfort. Kern was awarded patents for his work in pharmaceutical formulations and maintained a role in product development. His innovations have provided pain relief to millions of customers worldwide.

Gary Becker was born in 1930 and served as a professor of economics at the University of Chicago for over six decades. He received the 1992 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his groundbreaking work on human capital, discrimination, and crime. Becker expanded the boundaries of economic theory to address topics such as family organization, addiction, and altruism. His approach integrated sociology, demography, and anthropology into economic research, reshaping social science. He remained active in academia and public policy until his death in 2014.