May 16

Born in 1606, John Bulwer studied medicine and became an influential English physician and natural philosopher. He authored groundbreaking works such as "Chirologia" (1644) and "Chironomia" (1644), exploring the science of hand gestures and communication. His writings on deafness and the anatomy of speech contributed to early understanding of sign language. Bulwer also investigated human physiognomy, language, and the interplay between gesture and expression. His interdisciplinary approach laid foundations for the study of nonverbal communication and influenced later scholars in anthropology and linguistics. He died in 1656, leaving a legacy as a pioneer in the scientific exploration of human behavior.

Born in 1641 into a prominent Suffolk family, Dudley North served as a Member of Parliament and held various government offices. An early critic of mercantilist policies, he published "Discourses upon Trade" in 1691, arguing for trade liberalization and competition. His economic ideas emphasized natural price, the role of supply and demand, and the dangers of excessive regulation. North’s work influenced later classical economists and helped shape the development of economic theory in England. He remained active in politics until his death in 1691, leaving a legacy as a pioneer of free-market thought.

Born in Milan in 1718, Maria Gaetana Agnesi was a prodigy fluent in multiple languages and versed in mathematics from a young age. At age 21, she published "Propositiones Philosophicae" and later her seminal work, "Instituzioni Analitiche ad Uso della Gioventù Italiana" (1748), a two-volume treatise on algebra and calculus. Her analysis of the curve known as the "Witch of Agnesi" remains a classic in mathematical literature. In 1750, she became the first woman appointed to a professorship at the University of Bologna, though she never took up the position. Later in life, she devoted herself to charitable work, caring for the poor and sick in Milan. She died in 1799, remembered as a pioneering woman in science and mathematics.

Born in Normandy in 1763, Louis Nicolas Vauquelin studied pharmacy in Paris and joined the French Academy of Sciences. He discovered the element chromium in 1797 by analyzing the red lead pigment crocoite and isolated beryllium in 1798 from beryl. Vauquelin also identified the alkaloid caffeine and investigated organic compounds in plants, contributing to early biochemistry. He served as a professor of chemistry at the École Polytechnique and later at the Jardin des Plantes. Knighted by Napoleon, he published numerous papers advancing analytical and inorganic chemistry methods. Vauquelin died in 1829, leaving a legacy as one of the pioneers of modern chemical analysis.

Born in 1821 in Okatovo, Russia, Chebyshev studied at the University of Moscow and later taught at St. Petersburg University. He formulated Chebyshev's inequality, a fundamental result in probability theory. His development of Chebyshev polynomials advanced approximation theory and numerical analysis. Chebyshev made contributions to number theory, mechanics, and the statistical study of random variables. He mentored a generation of Russian mathematicians and influenced the development of mathematical education. He died in 1894, leaving a profound impact on mathematics and its applications.

Born in 1831 in London, Hughes moved to the United States to apprentice in telegraphy. He developed the printing telegraph and independently discovered the carbon button microphone, improving sound transmission for telephones. His experiments in wireless communication anticipated radio technology years before Heinrich Hertz. Hughes returned to England and lectured at the Royal Institution, earning the Royal Society's Hughes Medal. A prolific innovator, he also advanced studies in acoustics and electromagnetism. He died in 1900, remembered for inventions that shaped modern communication.

Born in 1862 in Norfolk, Fountaine developed a passion for butterflies at an early age. She embarked on solo expeditions across Asia, Africa, and the Americas, amassing over 20,000 butterfly specimens. Her detailed diaries recorded scientific observations and personal reflections, offering a rare female perspective on Victorian exploration. Fountaine corresponded with leading entomologists and contributed specimens to institutions such as the Natural History Museum in London. Her posthumously published journals reveal a vivid portrait of adventure, science, and female autonomy. She died in 1940, leaving a lasting legacy in natural history and travel literature.

Fred Conrad Koch was a leading figure in early endocrine research, focusing on the isolation and characterization of male sex hormones. He headed endocrine laboratories and pioneered techniques to extract and study testosterone. His work laid the groundwork for modern hormone therapy and advanced our understanding of the endocrine system. At the University of Chicago, he mentored a generation of researchers in biochemistry and endocrinology. Koch's contributions remain fundamental to both clinical and biochemical studies of hormones.

Pierre Gilliard served as a tutor to Tsar Nicholas II's children, offering a unique perspective on the Romanov family. He chronicled his experiences in memoirs that became key historical sources on the fall of Imperial Russia. As a professor of languages and literature, he lectured at the University of Lausanne. Gilliard published works on Russian history and culture, blending scholarly research with personal anecdotes. His writings remain valuable to historians seeking firsthand accounts of the Romanovs' final years.

Royal Rife was an American microbiologist and inventor known for developing high-magnification microscopes. He constructed the Rife microscope, which he claimed could visualize live pathogens far smaller than bacteria. Rife spent decades building and refining optical instruments to study microorganisms. His work intersected science and engineering, producing innovative microscope designs. While his claims about curing diseases remain controversial, his instrument-making skills are widely recognized.

Edith Grace White was an American ichthyologist specializing in the study of fish. Working at notable institutions, she described several new species and advanced taxonomy in ichthyology. White authored scientific papers on fish morphology and distribution, contributing to marine biology. As one of the few women scientists of her time, she paved the way for future female researchers. Her research remains a reference for understanding North American freshwater fish diversity.

Zvi Sliternik was an Israeli entomologist and academic known for his studies of insects. He conducted pioneering research on pest control and the ecology of insect populations. As a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he mentored students and built scientific programs. Sliternik authored numerous papers on taxonomy and the behavior of agricultural pests. His work laid the foundation for modern entomological research in Israel.