May 07

Ibn Hisham was an Egyptian scholar who lived during the early Abbasid era and died in 833. He is best known for his recension of al-Tabari’s Sirah, resulting in the work 'Sirat Ibn Hisham', a seminal source for the life of Muhammad. His meticulous gathering of traditions and oral reports provided a foundation for Islamic historiography. His work influenced generations of scholars and remains a key reference for understanding early Islamic history. His contributions highlight the richness of medieval Arabic scholarly tradition.

David Fabricius was born in 1564 in Esens and pursued studies in theology while maintaining a passion for astronomy. He served as a Protestant pastor, using his spare time to observe the heavens and record celestial events. In 1596, he noted the remarkable changes in brightness of the star Mira (Omicron Ceti), making one of the earliest documented observations of a variable star. His correspondence with other astronomers helped spread knowledge of his findings throughout Europe. Fabricius balanced his religious duties with scientific inquiry until his death on May 7, 1617.

Born in 1795 in New Lebanon, New York, William Buell Sprague served as a Presbyterian minister for over fifty years. He gained prominence for his 'Annals of the American Pulpit,' a multi-volume biographical compendium of notable American clergy. His meticulous research preserved the lives and works of hundreds of ministers and shaped early American religious history. Sprague also authored sermons, theological essays, and historical writings that contributed to American scholarship. His work remains a valuable resource for historians studying American religion and society in the 18th and 19th centuries. Sprague’s combination of pastoral experience and scholarly rigor set a standard for biographical and historical writing.

Born in 1811 in Pomerania, C. F. W. Walther emigrated to the United States in 1839 as part of the Saxon Lutheran migration. He became the first president of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and served as its leading theologian. Walther shaped the denomination’s doctrine through his writings, including "Law and Gospel," and his pastoral guidance. He founded "Der Lutheraner" and "Lehre und Wehre," periodicals that influenced American Lutheranism. Under his leadership, the Missouri Synod established seminaries and congregations across the Midwest. Walther's theological legacy continues to guide confessional Lutheran churches worldwide.

James George Frazer was born in 1854 and is best known for his groundbreaking work The Golden Bough, which compared myths and religions across cultures. His scholarship laid the foundation for modern anthropology and influenced literature, psychology, and religious studies. Frazer served as a lecturer at Cambridge University, sharing his theories on magic, religion, and ritual. His multi-volume work challenged traditional views of human belief systems and sparked academic debate. He died in 1941, remembered as a pioneer in comparative anthropology.

Allan McLeod Cormack was born in 1924 in Johannesburg, South Africa. He studied physics and mathematics at the University of Cape Town and Cambridge. Cormack developed theoretical underpinnings of X-ray computed tomography in the 1950s and 60s. His work enabled the creation of CAT scan technology. He shared the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for these achievements. Cormack held academic positions at Tufts University in the United States. He died in 1998, remembered for revolutionizing medical imaging.

Willard Sterling Boyle was a Canadian physicist known for his pioneering work in semiconductor devices. Alongside George E. Smith, he co-invented the charge-coupled device (CCD) in 1969 while at Bell Labs. The CCD revolutionized imaging technology and paved the way for digital cameras and astronomical instruments. He received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2009 for this breakthrough. Born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, he studied at McGill University and later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. Boyle's career spanned both industrial research and academia, including a professorship at Dartmouth College. He was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences in 1977. Boyle's contributions have had lasting impact on fields from consumer electronics to astrophysics. He passed away on May 7, 2011, leaving a legacy of innovation in imaging technologies.

Victor Nosach was a Soviet historian specializing in 20th-century Russian history. He published numerous works on the economic and social development of the USSR. His scholarship was widely cited and used in academic curricula. He held professorships at major institutions and mentored upcoming historians. Nosach received several honors for his contributions to Soviet historiography. He died on May 7, 2011, leaving behind a legacy in Soviet historical studies.

Ferenc Bartha was a Hungarian economist and politician who played a significant role in shaping Hungary's economic reforms in the late 20th century. He held key government positions and advised on fiscal and monetary policy during a period of transition. Bartha also taught at universities and published research on market reforms and economic transitions. His work helped guide Hungary’s shift from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented system. He balanced academic scholarship with public service to improve economic stability and growth. Ferenc Bartha passed away on May 7, 2012, and is remembered for his impact on both scholarship and national policy.

Colin Pillinger was an English planetary scientist and chemist who led the Beagle 2 mission to Mars under the European Space Agency. As a professor at the Open University, he conducted pioneering research on meteorites and Martian geology. Pillinger developed innovative techniques for analyzing the chemical composition of extraterrestrial materials. His enthusiastic public outreach inspired a new generation of space enthusiasts in the UK. Despite the partial failure of the Beagle 2 landing, his vision demonstrated British expertise in planetary exploration. He authored numerous scientific papers and popular science books. Pillinger passed away on May 7, 2014, remembered for his passion and contributions to space science.