May 06

Born in Speyer, Germany, in 1635, Becher studied medicine and developed an early interest in alchemy and industrial processes. He authored Physica Subterranea in 1669, a work that laid groundwork for later chemical research and theories of phlogiston. Serving as economic advisor to Emperor Leopold I, he promoted saltpeter production and industrial reform across the Holy Roman Empire. Becher experimented with experimental metallurgy, glassmaking, and dye manufacture. His classification of elements and ideas about combustion influenced later chemists such as Georg Ernst Stahl. Despite financial difficulties and court intrigues, he remained a prolific writer until his death in 1682. Becher’s vision of chemistry as a practical science marked a turning point between medieval alchemy and modern chemistry.

Jean Senebier (1742–1809) was a Swiss Calvinist pastor whose meticulous experiments laid the groundwork for modern plant physiology. Serving in Geneva, he investigated the role of air in plant growth, demonstrating the importance of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and oxygen release. His research influenced contemporaries such as Jan Ingenhousz and Nicolas-Théodore de Saussure. Senebier published numerous papers and corresponded with leading naturalists across Europe. His interdisciplinary approach bridged theology and science, marking a significant contribution to the Enlightenment’s scientific advancement.

Jean Nicolas Pierre Hachette (1769–1834) was a pioneering French mathematician celebrated for his work in descriptive geometry. A student of Gaspard Monge, Hachette succeeded him at the École Polytechnique and developed methods to represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions. His textbooks became foundational in engineering and architecture education. Hachette’s research extended to differential geometry and mathematical physics, influencing generations of scientists. He played a key role in establishing the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures. His dedication to teaching and clear exposition helped spread geometric techniques across Europe.

Max Eyth was born in Kirchheimbolanden, Germany in 1836. He studied mechanical engineering at the University of Stuttgart and became a pioneer in agricultural machinery design. Eyth traveled extensively through Europe and the United States, documenting farming techniques and rural life. He authored several popular travel books that combined technical insights with vivid storytelling. His work influenced agricultural research and inspired the founding of experimental farms. He served as director of the German Agricultural Society and advocated for modern farming methods. Eyth's legacy endures through his writings and contributions to agricultural engineering.

Grove Karl Gilbert was born in Rochester, New York in 1843. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in civil engineering. In 1879 he joined the US Geological Survey under John Wesley Powell, focusing on geomorphic processes. Gilbert conducted landmark studies on Lake Bonneville and the Rio Grande canyon formation. He introduced quantitative methods to geomorphology and coined key geological concepts. In 1898 he became a professor of geology at Johns Hopkins University and mentored future scientists. Gilbert received the Wollaston Medal for his contributions to geology. He passed away in 1918, leaving a lasting legacy in earth science.

Henry Edward Armstrong was born in Gosport, England in 1848. He studied under August Wilhelm von Hofmann at the Royal College of Chemistry in London. Armstrong challenged existing atomic theories and formulated the concept of molecular valence. He invented the "Oxo" process for chemical synthesis and made advances in arsenical compounds. Armstrong held the position of Professor of Chemistry at the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College London. He authored widely used texts such as "Structural Chemistry" and championed science education. He co-founded the Society of Chemical Industry in 1881 and promoted industrial applications of chemistry. Armstrong's work laid foundational principles for modern organic chemistry until his death in 1937.

Sigmund Freud was born in Freiberg, Moravia (now Příbor, Czech Republic) in 1856. He studied medicine at the University of Vienna and specialized in neurology. In the late 19th century he developed psychoanalysis, exploring the unconscious mind. Freud introduced concepts like the id, ego, and superego, and pioneered dream interpretation. He published landmark works such as "The Interpretation of Dreams" in 1899. His theory of psychosexual development and defense mechanisms sparked widespread debate. Despite controversies, Freud's ideas influenced psychology, literature, and culture. He emigrated to London in 1938 and died there in 1939, leaving an enduring impact.

Victor Grignard was a French chemist famous for developing the Grignard reaction, which revolutionized organic synthesis by enabling the formation of carbon-carbon bonds. He received the 1912 Nobel Prize in Chemistry in recognition of this groundbreaking work. After earning his doctorate, he held professorships at the University of Lyon and the University of Nancy. His research laid foundational principles for modern pharmaceutical and materials chemistry. Grignard's dedication to teaching influenced generations of chemists, and his discovery remains a cornerstone of synthetic chemistry worldwide.

Willem de Sitter was a Dutch mathematician, physicist, and astronomer whose work on general relativity and cosmology helped shape our understanding of the expanding universe. In collaboration with Albert Einstein, he formulated the Einstein–de Sitter universe model, linking geometry and cosmic expansion. De Sitter held a professorship at Leiden University and served as director of its Observatory. He made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics, the three-body problem, and gravitational lensing. His legacy lives on in key cosmological parameters and observatories named in his honor.

Bedřich Hrozný was a pioneering Czech orientalist and linguist best known for deciphering the ancient Hittite language in 1915. By recognizing grammatical patterns and vocabulary parallels with Indo-European languages, he unlocked the history of the Hittite empire. His breakthrough publication 'Die Sprache der Hethiter' laid the foundation for Hittitology. Hrozný served as a professor at Charles University in Prague, fostering research on ancient Near Eastern cultures. His work expanded our knowledge of Bronze Age civilizations and contributed to comparative linguistics. Today he is celebrated as one of the great decoders of ancient scripts.

Júlio César de Mello e Souza was a Brazilian educator, mathematician, and author who gained worldwide fame under the pseudonym Malba Tahan. His 1938 book 'The Man Who Counted' uses engaging storytelling to teach mathematical concepts through the adventures of the fictional Arabian mathematician Beremiz Samir. As a passionate teacher, he wrote dozens of works aimed at making mathematics accessible to young readers, blending puzzles, history, and cultural anecdotes. He held professorial positions in Salvador, Brazil, and played a key role in educational reform. Souza’s unique fusion of narrative and pedagogy has inspired generations of students and educators, and his books remain classics in popular mathematics literature.

Rolf Maximilian Sievert was born in 1896 and became a leading figure in the study of ionizing radiation. As a professor and researcher, he developed measurement techniques that laid the groundwork for modern radiation protection standards. He headed Sweden’s Radiation Protection Authority and advised international bodies on radiation safety. The SI unit sievert (Sv) was named in his honor for his contributions to dosimetry. Sievert’s work remains a cornerstone of health physics and radiological science.