May 17

Jien was born in 1155 into a noble Tendai Buddhist family. He became head of the Enryaku-ji monastery and a respected religious leader. He authored the Gukanshō, a seminal historical and political commentary on Japan. His works combined poetic elegance with scholarly analysis and influenced medieval historiography. Jien died in 1225 after decades of service, leaving a lasting legacy in both religious and literary circles.

Martin Delrio was born in 1551 in Antwerp and joined the Society of Jesus. He studied theology and became a professor at universities in Spain. Delrio wrote the Disquisitiones Magicae, a comprehensive examination of magic, witchcraft, and demonology. His work influenced the intellectual debate on occult practices during the Counter-Reformation. He died in 1601, and his scholarship left a lasting impact on early modern European thought.

Born in Munich in 1706, Andreas Felix von Oefele devoted his career to the study and preservation of historical manuscripts. Appointed court librarian to the Elector of Bavaria, he oversaw the expansion and organization of one of the era’s most significant collections. Oefele authored numerous works on Bavarian history, providing valuable insights into the region’s medieval and early modern periods. His meticulous cataloguing efforts helped safeguard rare documents for future generations of scholars. Known for his dedication to archival research, he collaborated with leading intellectuals of his time. Oefele died in 1780, leaving behind a rich legacy in German historiography and library science.

Born in Berkeley, Gloucestershire in 1749, Edward Jenner is celebrated as the father of immunology. Observing that milkmaids who contracted cowpox were immune to smallpox, he tested the first vaccine in 1796. Jenner’s work laid the groundwork for modern vaccination, saving countless lives worldwide. His publication, "An Inquiry into the Causes and Effects of the Variolae Vaccinae," attracted both acclaim and controversy. Jenner faced skepticism from some colleagues but persisted in promoting his life-saving discovery. Knighted in 1807, he continued to practice medicine and refine his techniques. Jenner died in 1823, leaving a legacy that revolutionized public health.

Ezra Otis Kendall was born in New Haven in 1818 and graduated from Yale University. He later joined the University of Pennsylvania as a professor of mathematics and astronomy. Kendall conducted observations of comets and variable stars and published mathematical textbooks used by American colleges. He served as president of the American Philosophical Society and contributed articles to leading scientific journals. His research helped advance the study of celestial phenomena in the 19th century. Kendall remained active in academic circles until his death in 1899.

Charlotte Barnum was born in 1860 and pursued advanced studies in mathematics in the United States. She taught mathematics at the college level and wrote papers on algebra and geometry. Barnum was also an active social reformer, campaigning for women's rights and better educational opportunities. She worked with civic organizations to improve social welfare in her community. Throughout her life, Barnum advocated for the inclusion of women in academic and professional fields. She died in 1934, remembered for her dual legacy as a mathematician and advocate for social change.

Léon Gérin was born in Quebec City in 1863 and studied law at Université Laval. He began his career as a lawyer before joining the federal civil service in the Department of Agriculture. Gérin became one of Canada’s first sociologists, publishing studies on rural family life and the social impact of colonization. His seminal work "Influence of Colonization on the Canadian Family" laid the foundation for scholarly sociology in Canada. Gérin co-founded the Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association and served as its first president. He remained active in public service and academic circles until his death in 1951. Gérin’s research paved the way for modern social research in Canada.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jones overcame early hardships to become a self-taught mechanical genius. He co-founded Thermo King in 1938 and developed the first portable air-cooling unit for trucks. His refrigeration systems revolutionized the food and medical industries by enabling long-distance transport of perishable goods. Jones held more than 60 patents and became the first African American to receive the National Medal of Technology posthumously. His innovations laid the foundation for modern cold chain logistics worldwide.

Born in Belarus, Adler emigrated to Palestine and served as a captain in the British Army during World War I. He became a leading parasitologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, specializing in leishmaniasis. Adler's work identified new parasite species and developed diagnostic methods that improved public health in the Middle East. He trained generations of researchers and helped establish tropical medicine as a scientific discipline in Israel. His legacy endures in the ongoing fight against parasitic infections worldwide.

Born in Bergen, Hassel studied chemistry at the University of Oslo and later in Germany under renowned chemists. He pioneered research on the three-dimensional shapes of molecules, focusing on cyclohexane conformations. In 1969, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his pioneering contributions to stereochemistry. As a professor at the University of Oslo, he mentored many students and expanded the field of organic chemistry in Norway. Hassel's work laid the groundwork for modern understanding of molecular geometry and chemical reactivity.

Julius Sumner Miller brought the wonders of physics to millions through his television series 'Why Is It So?'. An enthusiastic lecturer, he demonstrated complex concepts with simple, hands-on experiments that captivated audiences of all ages. Miller earned his Ph.D. in physics before joining the faculty at the University of Sydney. He traveled extensively, promoting scientific literacy and inspiring future generations of scientists. His educational films and public lectures emphasized curiosity and critical thinking. Miller's legacy lives on in science outreach and popular education initiatives worldwide.

Gustav Naan (1919–1994) was a Russian-Estonian physicist and philosopher influential in Soviet-era scientific thought. He made contributions to the study of nuclear physics and theoretical mechanics. Naan authored numerous works on the philosophy of science, emphasizing rationalism and empirical methodology. He was known for critiquing pseudoscientific theories and defending scientific rigor in public discourse. His writings shaped academic debate in Estonia and the broader Soviet Union. Beyond his academic output, he engaged in science popularization, making complex ideas accessible to general audiences.