May 10

Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot, born in 1727, became famous for his seminal work on free trade and economic liberalism. Appointed as Controller-General of Finances in 1774, he implemented sweeping reforms including the abolition of feudal privileges and free trade in grain. His practical and theoretical contributions laid the foundations for classical economics. Turgot’s advocacy for laissez-faire principles influenced later economists such as Adam Smith. Despite his visionary policies, he faced fierce opposition at court and resigned in 1776. He died in 1781, remembered as one of the Enlightenment’s most influential thinkers and reformers.

Born in 1760, Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle trained as an engineer in the French Army. In 1792, while stationed in Strasbourg, he composed the 'Chant de guerre pour l'armée du Rhin,' later known as 'La Marseillaise.' The stirring melody and lyrics quickly became a revolutionary anthem, symbolizing French national identity. Rouget de Lisle’s musical talent and patriotic fervor left a lasting impact on French culture. After a varied career as a soldier and civil servant, he witnessed the anthem's enduring popularity. He died in 1836, his name forever linked to one of the world’s most famous national songs.

Augustin-Jean Fresnel was a pioneering French physicist and engineer whose work laid the foundation for modern wave optics. He formulated the Fresnel equations and introduced the concept of interference fringes. His invention of the Fresnel lens revolutionized lighthouse illumination and optical instrumentation. Fresnel's theories resolved longstanding debates about the nature of light and earned him recognition among European scientific societies. Despite his early death at age 39, his contributions continue to influence optical engineering and physics today.

William Henry Barlow was a prominent English civil engineer who made significant contributions to railway engineering during the 19th century. As Chief Engineer of the Midland Railway, he designed the innovative train shed roof at London’s St Pancras Station, which remained the largest single-span roof of its time. Barlow also worked on canal aqueducts and harbour structures, demonstrating versatility in civil infrastructure projects. His expertise in structural analysis and materials helped advance the field of engineering. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his achievements and influence on Victorian-era engineering.

Wilhelm Killing was a German mathematician whose groundbreaking research laid the foundations for the theory of Lie algebras and Lie groups. His study of continuous transformation groups led to the classification of complex semisimple Lie algebras, a result later refined by Élie Cartan. Killing’s work introduced concepts such as the Killing form and root systems, which remain central in modern algebra and theoretical physics. He held academic positions at the University of Berlin and the University of Halle, mentoring the next generation of mathematicians. Although some of his proofs lacked full rigor by later standards, his insights opened new pathways in geometry and group theory.

Marcel Mauss was a French sociologist and anthropologist whose influential work bridged the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, and ethnology. His 1925 essay 'The Gift' analyzed systems of gift exchange in archaic societies and introduced the concept of social solidarity through reciprocity. Mauss’s research on rituals, magic, and religious phenomena provided foundational insights into social cohesion and cultural practices. As nephew and collaborator of Émile Durkheim, he helped shape the field of French sociology. Throughout his career, Mauss conducted ethnographic studies in Melanesia and Polynesia, expanding European understanding of non-Western cultures. His interdisciplinary approach has had lasting influence on anthropology, sociology, and economics.

Ariel Durant collaborated with her husband, Will Durant, on the 11-volume series The Story of Civilization, which earned a Pulitzer Prize in 1968. Her accessible writing brought history to a broad readership, covering philosophy, art, and culture from ancient times to the modern era. Born in Pennsylvania, Durant studied at the University of Pennsylvania and later lectured on European history. Her work emphasized humanistic values, and she remained active in educational and philanthropic causes until her death in 1981.

In her 1925 doctoral thesis at Cambridge, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin demonstrated that hydrogen and helium are the primary constituents of stars, overturning previous scientific assumptions. She moved to Harvard University, becoming the first female professor at Harvard's Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the first female department chair in America. Payne-Gaposchkin authored The Stars of High Luminosity and worked extensively on variable stars and stellar classification. Her pioneering research earned her the Henry Norris Russell Lectureship and influenced generations of astronomers.

J. D. Bernal made foundational contributions to the use of X-ray diffraction in studying the molecular structure of materials and biological specimens. A professor at Cambridge University, he applied crystallographic techniques to proteins, viruses, and graphite. Beyond his scientific work, Bernal was an outspoken socialist and author of The Social Function of Science, arguing for science's role in society. He mentored future Nobel laureates and helped establish science policy organizations. His interdisciplinary approach left a lasting legacy in structural biology and science history.

Arnold Rüütel was an Estonian agronomist and politician born in 1928 in Pahavalla, Estonia. After earning a PhD in agricultural sciences, he built a career as a researcher and lecturer. Rüütel served as Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR and was instrumental in restoring Estonia's independence in 1991. He was elected President of Estonia in 2001 and served until 2006. During his presidency, he prioritized rural development and signed the treaties for Estonia's accession to the European Union and NATO. Rüütel's leadership bridged Estonia's Soviet past and its integration into Western institutions.

George E. Smith was born in White Plains, New York, in 1930. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago before joining Bell Labs. Alongside Willard Boyle, he co-invented the charge-coupled device (CCD), revolutionizing digital imaging. This breakthrough technology led to the development of digital cameras and advanced astronomical sensors. For this work, he shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics. Smith later served as a professor and continued to influence scientific instrumentation worldwide.

Lisa Nowak is a former U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut who flew aboard Space Shuttle missions STS-121 in 2006 and STS-124 in 2008. She holds a master's degree in aeronautical engineering and served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station. Nowak conducted experiments in life sciences and microgravity during her missions. She was one of the few women selected in NASA's 1996 astronaut class. After leaving NASA, she returned to military service before retiring from the Navy and later working in aviation safety.