May 15

Ida Freund was born in 1863 in Vienna and moved to England to pursue her scientific education. She earned a degree in chemistry from Newnham College, Cambridge, and later became the first female chemistry lecturer at a British university, teaching at the newly established University College, Bristol. Freund was passionate about laboratory pedagogy and authored influential teaching manuals that emphasized safety and hands-on learning. She introduced innovative demonstrations and developed colored chemicals to help students visualize reactions. A mentor to many young scientists, she campaigned for women’s rights in academia. Freund’s contributions laid the groundwork for modern chemistry education before her death in 1914.

Joseph James Fletcher was born in 1850 and educated at the University of Sydney before advancing to biologists’ circles in Europe. He specialized in marine biology and Australian fauna, publishing detailed studies on mollusks and crustaceans. Fletcher was a founding member of the Linnean Society of New South Wales and served as its president, advocating for the expansion of natural history collections. He edited scientific journals and mentored emerging researchers, helping to professionalize biology in Australia. His commitment to fieldwork and taxonomy earned him respect at home and abroad. Fletcher continued his research and editorial work until his death in 1926, leaving a lasting impact on Australian science.

Gordon W. Prange (1910–1980) was an American military historian and scholar specializing in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He served as a U.S. Navy officer during the war and contributed to the official investigation of the Pearl Harbor attack. After the war, Prange joined the University of Maryland faculty, teaching American history. His seminal book 'At Dawn We Slept' provided a comprehensive narrative of the events leading up to Pearl Harbor and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Prange also edited critical Japanese wartime documents, offering insights into Japanese military decision-making. His meticulous research and engaging writing style made his works influential among historians and the general public. Prange’s contributions significantly advanced the study of World War II history.

Theodore H. White was an American historian and journalist who revolutionized political reporting. He covered four U.S. presidential campaigns for Life magazine, culminating in his acclaimed book 'The Making of the President 1960.' White's in-depth narrative style combined scholarly analysis with vivid reporting, setting a new standard for political literature. He later taught at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government and wrote extensively on politics and history. His work earned him the Pulitzer Prize and influenced generations of political journalists.

Luc Lacourcière was a Canadian ethnographer and folklorist dedicated to preserving Quebec's oral heritage. He conducted extensive fieldwork, collecting folk tales, legends, and traditional songs from rural communities. As a professor at Laval University, he influenced generations of ethnologists and promoted cultural research. Lacourcière founded and edited the journal 'Études folkloriques,' advancing Canadian folklore scholarship. His publications remain foundational texts for understanding Quebec's linguistic and cultural identity.

Andreas Floer was a German mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to geometry and topology. He developed Floer homology, a tool that transformed the study of symplectic manifolds and low-dimensional topology. Floer's work bridged mathematical physics and pure mathematics, influencing diverse fields such as gauge theory. He held academic positions at the University of California, Berkeley, and later at Ruhr University Bochum. Floer's untimely death in 1991 at age 34 cut short a highly promising career, but his theories continue to drive research.

Amadou Hampâté Bâ was a Malian ethnologist, historian, and writer committed to safeguarding African oral literature. He collected and transcribed centuries-old epics, proverbs, and folktales, ensuring they would not be lost. Hampâté Bâ served as a UNESCO official, advocating for the recognition of non-Western knowledge systems. His books, including 'L'Étrange Destin de Wangrin,' combined historical research with personal narrative. His profound respect for oral cultures earned him the respect of scholars and communities across Africa.

Arno Lustiger was a German historian and author born in 1924 in Krakow. As a Holocaust survivor, he endured forced labor and concentration camp imprisonment. After the war, Lustiger settled in Germany and dedicated his life to documenting Jewish experiences. His scholarly works explored resistance movements, Jewish life in Europe, and post-war justice. He authored numerous books and articles, shedding light on lesser-known historical narratives. Lustiger lectured widely and received honors including the Bundesverdienstkreuz. His testimony and research played a vital role in Holocaust education and remembrance. He died in 2012, remembered for his commitment to truth and historical scholarship.

Born in 1914 in Germany, she trained as a physical therapist before moving to the United States. In the early 1950s, she co-founded the American Society for Psychoprophylaxis in Obstetrics to teach natural childbirth techniques. She became known as the “mother of Lamaze” for introducing and adapting the French childbirth method. She authored several influential books on childbirth education, including "Preparation for the Birth of a Baby". Her work empowered countless women with knowledge and confidence for labor and delivery. She continued teaching and lecturing well into her 90s. She died in 2015 at the age of 101.

Born in 1927, he developed a passion for tropical fish at an early age. He founded TFH Publications and popularized the hobby with accessible pet care books like "Exotic Tropical Fishes". His publishing empire grew into a leading source for aquarium enthusiasts worldwide. He also amassed a significant art and rare book collection, which he donated to museums. He was awarded for his contributions to ichthyology and public education about aquatic life. He died in 2017, leaving a lasting impact on both publishing and the aquarium hobby.

Born in 1937, he trained in biochemistry before embarking on a journalism career. He became medical correspondent for The Times, where he reported on key public health issues. His 1991 article linking folic acid deficiency to neural tube defects prompted changes in prenatal care. He authored numerous articles and papers on nutrition, pollution, and disease prevention. He received recognition for his clarity in conveying complex scientific topics to the public. He died in 2021, leaving a legacy in medical and science journalism.