May 16

Born in Auxerre, France, Fourier became notable for his work on heat transfer and vibrations. In 1822, he introduced the Fourier series, transforming the study of periodic functions. He served as Prefect of Isère under Napoleon and contributed to the Egyptian scientific expedition alongside Bonaparte. His work laid the groundwork for modern signal processing, acoustics, and quantum mechanics. Fourier’s heat equation remains a fundamental tool in physics and engineering. His legacy endures across mathematics, physics, and applied sciences.

Henslow served as Professor of Botany at Cambridge University while fulfilling duties as a parish priest. He ignited Darwin’s passion for natural history through field excursions and guided study. His innovative approach to teaching combined hands-on observation with rigorous taxonomy. Henslow’s research on plant distribution laid foundations for biogeography. He corresponded with leading scientists across Europe, shaping 19th-century scientific networks. His mentorship and scholarship left a lasting imprint on evolutionary theory.

Born in 1870, Strauss pioneered innovative bridge designs early in his career. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, gaining experience in structural engineering. In the 1920s, he proposed and led the design and construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, an engineering marvel. His leadership overcame political, financial, and technical challenges to complete the project in 1937. He died in 1938, leaving a legacy as one of America's most influential civil engineers.

Born in 1865, Hoche became a professor of psychiatry and contributed to early psychiatric research. He focused on forensic psychiatry, exploring the intersection of mental illness and criminal behavior. His publications influenced discussions on public health policy and the legal treatment of the mentally ill. Although his ideas were later misused by extremist ideologies, he remains a significant figure in psychiatric history. He died in 1943, leaving behind a complex intellectual legacy.

Born in 1873 in the Ottoman Empire, Mișea studied medicine in Bucharest. He became a prominent advocate for Aromanian cultural and educational rights under Ottoman rule. In his medical career, he served communities in Macedonia and Romania, gaining respect as a physician. He later entered politics, representing Aromanian interests in regional assemblies. He died in 1944, remembered for his dual legacy as a healer and minority rights activist.

Born in 1890, Tesch earned a doctorate in chemistry and co-founded a pesticide company. He was instrumental in developing Zyklon B, originally used as a pesticide. During World War II, the chemical was repurposed for mass murder in Nazi extermination camps. After the war, he was tried by the British for his role in supplying the gas and convicted of war crimes. He was executed in 1946, his life a grim reminder of science misused for atrocity.

Born in 1861, Hopkins studied medicine at the University of Cambridge. He conducted pioneering research on essential dietary factors, leading to the concept of vitamins. In 1929, he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his vitamin discovery. As a professor at Cambridge, he trained generations of biochemists and advanced the field. He died in 1947, remembered as a founding figure in nutritional biochemistry.

Willy Hartner earned his medical degree in Germany and dedicated his career to academic teaching and research. He held faculty positions at prominent German universities, where he educated and mentored future physicians. Hartner published numerous papers covering both clinical studies and theoretical aspects of medicine. His work bridged the gap between laboratory research and practical healthcare, influencing medical curricula. Throughout his academic tenure, he remained committed to advancing medical knowledge and professional development.

Heinrich Rohrer was born in Buchs, Switzerland in 1933 and studied physics at ETH Zurich. He joined IBM's Zurich Research Laboratory in 1963 and collaborated with Gerd Binnig on pioneering research. In 1981, they invented the scanning tunneling microscope, allowing scientists to visualize and manipulate individual atoms for the first time. Their groundbreaking work revolutionized the field of nanotechnology and surface science. In recognition of this innovation, Rohrer and Binnig received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986. Rohrer's publications and mentorship influenced generations of researchers in condensed matter physics. He passed away on May 16, 2013, leaving a lasting legacy in the scientific community.

Clyde Snow was born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1928 and earned his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. He became chief physical anthropologist at the U.S. Army Identification Lab and applied his expertise to mass grave investigations around the world. Snow played a key role in uncovering human rights abuses in Argentina's 'Dirty War' by identifying disappeared political prisoners. He consulted on high-profile cases, including exhumations related to the Kennedy assassination and war crimes tribunals. Snow published authoritative texts on forensic anthropology and helped establish professional standards for the field. He founded the American Board of Forensic Anthropology to credential specialists and promote ethical practices. Snow passed away on May 16, 2014, leaving a lasting impact on human rights investigations and forensic science.