May 13

Born in 1588 in Aarhus, Ole Worm studied medicine at Copenhagen and Leiden universities, establishing himself as a leading physician. Appointed a professor of medicine at the University of Copenhagen in 1615, he also pursued antiquarian studies and catalogued runestones. His 'Museum Wormianum' was one of the first comprehensive cabinets of curiosities, classifying natural specimens and cultural artifacts. Worm published groundbreaking works on Scandinavian antiquities and natural history, influencing the development of archaeology and anthropology. He combined scientific inquiry with a systematic approach to collection, laying early foundations for modern museology. He died in 1654, leaving a lasting impact on early scientific and cultural studies.

Born in 1638 in Dieppe, Richard Simon joined the Oratorian order and devoted himself to theological scholarship. His landmark work, the 'Critical History of the Old Testament', applied historical and textual analysis to scripture, provoking controversy. Simon's methods questioned the authorship and origins of biblical texts, laying the groundwork for modern exegesis. Facing opposition from church authorities, he defended his approach through further writings on prophecy and hermeneutics. His rigorous scholarship influenced subsequent theologians and the development of critical biblical studies. Simon died in 1712, leaving a transformative legacy in comparative theology and textual criticism.

Born in 1713 near Paris, Alexis Clairaut was a prodigy who published significant mathematical work by his late teens. He refined Newton's theories on the figure of the Earth, contributing to the determination of its oblate shape. Clairaut made important advances in the three-body problem and lunar motion, producing influential treatises in celestial mechanics. He joined the expedition to Lapland to measure a meridian arc, confirming Earth's oblateness. An active member of the French Academy of Sciences, he collaborated with leading scholars like Euler and d'Alembert. Clairaut died in 1765, leaving a legacy that shaped the foundations of geophysics and astronomical science.

Lazare Carnot played a pivotal role in the French Revolutionary Wars by overhauling army recruitment and supply, earning him the nickname “Organizer of Victory.” A talented mathematician, he published works on geometry and mechanics. He served as Minister of the Interior under Napoleon, overseeing public works and education. Carnot also held political office during the Directory, advocating for republican principles and contributing to France’s strategic military successes.

Gérard Paul Deshayes was instrumental in developing paleontological methods by systematically studying fossil shells. His extensive fieldwork in France and Algeria led to influential publications on Tertiary strata. A member of the French Academy of Sciences, he refined chronostratigraphic classification and supported Darwin’s theory of evolution by demonstrating gradual species changes. His work laid foundations for modern geology and paleobiology.

Sir Ronald Ross (1857–1932) was an Indian-born British medical doctor and researcher whose work on malaria transmission earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902. While serving in the Indian Medical Service, he demonstrated that malaria parasites could be transmitted to birds by mosquitoes, establishing the insect vector theory. His findings revolutionized malaria control and influenced public health worldwide. Ross later held academic posts at Liverpool University, mentoring epidemiologists and founding the Ross Institute for parasitic diseases. Knighted in 1911, he remained dedicated to tropical medicine, leaving a lasting legacy in global health.

Georgios Papanikolaou was a Greek-American pathologist born in 1883, renowned for revolutionizing women's health. After completing his medical education in Greece, he moved to the United States in 1913 and joined the faculty at Cornell University Medical College. Papanikolaou's meticulous studies of cellular samples led him to develop the Pap smear in the 1920s as a simple and effective screening method for cervical cancer. His work significantly reduced mortality from cervical cancer through early detection and inspired widespread public health programs. Despite initial skepticism from the medical community, his findings gained acceptance by the 1950s and became a standard medical practice worldwide. Papanikolaou continued research on cytology and aging until his death in 1962, leaving a profound legacy in diagnostic medicine.

Lorna Hodgkinson was an Australian educator and educational psychologist born in 1887. She studied at the University of Melbourne before undertaking advanced training in the United States. On returning to Australia, she introduced progressive teaching methods and championed specialized instruction for children with learning difficulties. Hodgkinson established some of Australia's first classes for children with intellectual and emotional disabilities. Her research and advocacy influenced national education policies and improved support services across the country. She passed away in 1951, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer in inclusive education and child psychology.

Inge Lehmann was born in 1888 and became one of the world's foremost seismologists. Working at the Geodetic Institute in Copenhagen, she analyzed seismic data from earthquakes to challenge existing models of Earth's interior. In 1936, she proposed the existence of a solid inner core surrounded by a liquid outer core, a breakthrough now known as the Lehmann discontinuity. Her meticulous research laid the foundation for modern geophysics and advanced our understanding of planetary structures. Lehmann continued to publish influential papers well into her later years, earning international recognition and awards. She died in 1993 at the age of 104, celebrated for her pioneering scientific achievements.

Nandor Fodor was born in 1895 in Hungary and became a pioneering psychologist and parapsychologist. After earning his degree in psychology in Europe, he emigrated to the United States in the 1920s. Fodor worked with researchers investigating psychic phenomena and sought to apply rigorous psychological analysis to cases of telepathy, haunting, and poltergeists. He authored several influential books, including studies on psychoanalytic interpretations of paranormal experiences. Fodor argued that many phenomena labeled supernatural had psychological origins or could be explained by unconscious processes. He passed away in 1964, remembered for bridging clinical psychology and early parapsychological research.

Ehud Netzer was a leading expert on Herodian architecture and served as a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is best known for discovering and excavating the tomb of Herod the Great and for revealing the engineering marvels of Herodian palaces. Netzer’s work combined rigorous archaeological methods with detailed architectural reconstructions, bringing ancient structures back to public awareness. He also contributed to the preservation of historical sites throughout Israel and mentored a generation of archaeologists. Netzer published extensively on ancient construction techniques and the cultural context of Herodian projects. His career was tragically cut short by a fatal fall at an excavation site in 2010. His pioneering research transformed the understanding of Second Temple period architecture.

Londa Schiebinger is an American professor of history of science at Stanford University and leading scholar in gender studies. Her work examines how gender biases have influenced scientific research and knowledge production. She authored influential books such as The Mind Has No Sex? and Has Feminism Changed Science?. Schiebinger founded the European Gender Summit and the Gendered Innovations project to promote inclusive research. Her interdisciplinary approach has shaped policies and practices in science, technology, and medicine. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to scholarship and advocacy for gender equity in academia.