May 21

John Rainolds was born in 1549 and excelled as a scholar at Oxford University. A leading Puritan theologian, he was summoned to the Hampton Court Conference in 1604, where he advocated for a new English Bible translation. Rainolds chaired the translation project that resulted in the King James Version, a cornerstone of English literature. He served as President of Corpus Christi College and influenced academic life at Oxford. His writings on theology and church reform shaped early 17th-century religious thought. Rainolds’ legacy endures through his scholarly contributions and the enduring impact of the King James Bible.

Hieronymus Fabricius was born in 1537 and became a prominent professor of surgery at the University of Padua. He made groundbreaking discoveries in anatomy, including detailed descriptions of the venous valves. Fabricius also advanced the study of embryology through his meticulous observations and illustrations. His treatises, such as 'De Venarum Ostiolis', influenced future physicians, notably William Harvey. He combined teaching with practical research, founding one of the first anatomical theaters. Fabricius’ contributions laid the groundwork for modern vascular and developmental biology.

Niccolò Zucchi was born in Parma in 1586 and became a Jesuit scholar. He is credited with building one of the earliest prototypes of a reflecting telescope in 1640, using a metallic mirror design. In 1650, Zucchi made the first published telescopic observations of the belts on the planet Jupiter. His work on optics included experiments with light refraction and improvements to telescope construction. Zucchi held academic posts at the University of Rome and contributed to the advancement of early modern astronomy. His innovations laid the groundwork for later telescope developments by astronomers such as Isaac Newton.

Otto von Guericke was born in Magdeburg in 1602 and later served as the city's mayor. He invented the Magdeburg hemispheres, demonstrating atmospheric pressure by evacuating air from two joined hemispheres. In his famous 1656 experiment, teams of horses failed to pull the hemispheres apart, showcasing the power of vacuum. Guericke conducted extensive research in vacuum pumps, pneumatics, and electrostatic phenomena. His work influenced later scientists such as Robert Boyle and Christiaan Huygens in the study of gas laws. Throughout his career, he published significant treatises on vacuum physics and defended his findings in academic debates.

Lars Roberg was born in Stockholm in 1664 and studied medicine at Leiden University. Returning to Sweden, he became a professor of anatomy and surgery at Uppsala University in 1697. Roberg established the first formal medical training program in Sweden, integrating practical clinical instruction. He introduced modern surgical techniques and emphasized hands-on experience for medical students. Roberg’s efforts laid the groundwork for Sweden’s professional medical education and healthcare reforms. He remained a leading figure in Swedish medicine until his death in 1742.

Carl Wilhelm Scheele was born in Stralsund in 1742 and apprenticed to a pharmacist in Gothenburg. He independently discovered oxygen in 1772, before Joseph Priestley, and identified it as a distinct element. Scheele also discovered chlorine, manganese, barium, and molybdenum through systematic chemical experiments. His work with acids and gases led to the identification of organic acids such as lactic and tartaric acid. Despite his groundbreaking discoveries, Scheele’s findings were often published by other scientists before he could claim credit. He died in 1786, leaving a legacy as one of the founding figures of modern analytical chemistry.

August Wilhelm von Kundt was a German physicist born in 1839 who made significant contributions to experimental physics. He is best known for inventing the Kundt’s tube apparatus, which measured the speed of sound in gases and solids. Kundt conducted pioneering research in magnetism, optics, and thermal expansion, often combining meticulous experimentation with theoretical insight. He served as a professor at universities in Würzburg, Strasbourg, and Berlin, mentoring a generation of scientists. His work on acoustics influenced subsequent developments in wave physics. Kundt’s legacy endures in laboratories and textbooks that reference his experiments.

Born in 1857 in Scotland, Fleming emigrated to the United States in her youth. She joined the Harvard College Observatory and became a key member of the Harvard Computers. Fleming developed one of the earliest systems for classifying stars by their spectra. She discovered numerous astronomical objects, including nebulae and variable stars. Her work laid the foundation for modern stellar astrophysics. She passed away on May 21, 1911, remembered for her groundbreaking contributions to astronomy.

Born in 1853, Fedorov served as a professor at the University of St. Petersburg. He formulated the 230 space groups that classify crystal symmetries. His work established the mathematical foundations of crystallography. Fedorov's theories advanced the study of mineral structures and materials science. He published influential texts on geometry and crystallography. He died on May 21, 1919, leaving a profound impact on mathematics and the physical sciences.

Born in 1871, Ueno graduated from the University of Tokyo and became a professor of agricultural engineering. He conducted significant research in irrigation and crop production. Ueno adopted a stray Akita puppy, naming him Hachikō, who became famous for his daily train station vigil after Ueno's death. His work in agriculture influenced early 20th-century farming practices in Japan. Ueno passed away on May 21, 1925, but his bond with Hachikō has remained a symbol of loyalty worldwide.

Hugo de Vries was a Dutch botanist and geneticist best known for his pioneering work in mutation theory. He independently rediscovered Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance in the early 20th century. De Vries proposed that new species arise through sudden genetic mutations rather than gradual evolution. His meticulous experiments with the evening primrose (Oenothera lamarckiana) provided key evidence. He published his landmark book 'Die Mutationstheorie' in 1901, which shaped the field of genetics. De Vries's insights laid the groundwork for modern understanding of genes and heredity. He served as a professor at the University of Amsterdam and influenced generations of geneticists.

James Franck was a German physicist who, alongside Gustav Hertz, conducted pioneering experiments on electron collisions with atoms. Their landmark work in 1914 provided critical evidence for the quantized nature of energy levels in atoms. Franck and Hertz received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1925 for this discovery, fundamentally advancing quantum theory. He served as a professor at several leading universities, including Göttingen and the University of Chicago. After fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, Franck emigrated to the United States, where he contributed to research and academic life. He was an outspoken advocate for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and signed the Franck Report in 1945. Franck died in 1964, remembered as a key figure in early quantum mechanics.