May 22

Francesco Guicciardini was born in 1483 into a prominent Florentine family. He served the Republic of Florence as a diplomat and statesman, undertaking missions to Spain and Rome. His major work, 'History of Italy', offered a rigorous and analytical account of Italian politics, marking a shift toward modern historiography. Guicciardini's candid assessments and realistic political theories contrasted with those of his contemporary Niccolò Machiavelli. His writings influenced European political thought and remain valued for their critical insights. He died in 1540, leaving a lasting legacy in both scholarship and diplomacy.

Gaspar Schott was born in 1608 and entered the Society of Jesus, where he studied under the renowned polymath Athanasius Kircher. He devoted himself to experimental physics and mathematics, publishing influential works on hydraulics, optics, and mechanical devices. Schott's writings, such as 'Mechanica Hydraulica', helped popularize scientific experimentation and instrumentation in the 17th century. He maintained correspondence with leading scientists, including Galileo Galilei, and documented their discoveries for a wider audience. Schott also explored topics in magnetism and pneumatics, contributing to the era's burgeoning scientific revolution. He died in 1666, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship and pedagogy in the Jesuit tradition.

Durastante Natalucci, born in Rieti in 1687, devoted his career to documenting the rich history of his homeland. Serving as an archivist, he gathered extensive records on local churches, land holdings, and noble lineages. His magnum opus, the multi-volume 'Historia di Rieti', offers an unparalleled window into the social and ecclesiastical life of the Papal States. Natalucci's rigorous methodology and attention to detail set a standard for genealogical and regional studies. Although his works remained unpublished in his lifetime, they have since become essential resources for historians of central Italy.

Julius Plücker, born in 1801, made foundational contributions to analytic and projective geometry. He introduced the concept of duality and developed coordinates for lines in space, known today as Plücker coordinates. As a physicist, his experiments on cathode rays advanced early understanding of electrical discharge phenomena. Plücker's work in spectroscopy laid the groundwork for analyzing the composition of gases through their light spectra. His interdisciplinary approach bridged theoretical mathematics and experimental physics, influencing generations of scientists. He died in 1868, leaving a legacy of pioneering research across multiple scientific fields.

She served as the first professional librarian at the top-secret Los Alamos Laboratory. She organized and secured classified technical reports for Manhattan Project scientists. Her rigorous cataloging system streamlined access to vital research data. After World War II, she advanced scientific librarianship and academic research support. Her dedication ensured the smooth flow of information critical to the development of nuclear technology.

Born in Germany, she overcame gender barriers to earn her doctorate in mathematics. Her research at Stanford led to the development of discontinuous or 'on-off' control systems. During World War II, she contributed to aircraft stabilization and autopilot technology. She became the first female engineering professor at Stanford University. Her work laid the foundation for modern control theory and aerospace engineering. She received numerous honors for her groundbreaking academic and engineering contributions.

His pioneering work in cell fractionation revealed the complex structure of cell organelles. He developed methods to isolate ribosomes, mitochondria, and other cellular components. In 1974, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for these discoveries. His research laid the groundwork for modern molecular and cellular biology. He held influential academic positions at the Rockefeller Institute in New York. His legacy continues to impact biomedical research and the understanding of cell biology.

Zellig Harris was an influential linguist whose work laid the groundwork for modern structural linguistics. He introduced innovative methods for analyzing linguistic structure, later inspiring figures like Noam Chomsky. Harris taught at the University of Pennsylvania for over 40 years and published foundational texts such as Methods in Structural Linguistics. His research extended to discourse analysis, text linguistics, and the application of linguistics to social issues. A committed social activist, he applied his analytical skills to understand power and inequality. Harris died in 1992, leaving a profound legacy in the study of language.

Alfred Day Hershey was born in Owosso, Michigan, in 1908 and earned his Ph.D. in biology from Washington University. He conducted pioneering research on bacteriophages, notably the Hershey–Chase experiment, which proved that DNA is the genetic material. In 1969, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Max Delbrück and Salvador Luria for their discoveries concerning the replication mechanism and genetic structure of viruses. Hershey spent much of his career at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, mentoring future leaders in molecular biology. His work laid the groundwork for modern genetics and molecular biology, influencing decades of research. He passed away on May 22, 1997.

José Enrique Moyal was born in Jerusalem in 1910 and later studied engineering at the University of Sydney and mathematics at Cambridge University. He contributed significantly to statistical mechanics and pioneered the phase-space formulation of quantum mechanics, introducing the Moyal product and Moyal bracket. His work provided a bridge between classical and quantum theories and has been widely applied in modern physics. Moyal held academic positions at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. He advised on applied research in defense and aviation engineering before returning to Israel. Moyal remained active in research and lecturing until his passing on May 22, 1998.

Lee Jong-wook was born in Changwon, South Korea, in 1945 and earned his medical degree at Seoul National University. He joined the World Health Organization in 1979, holding various positions including Director of the Stop TB Department and Assistant Director-General for Health Technology and Pharmaceuticals. In 2003, he became the sixth Director-General of WHO and launched the '3 by 5' initiative to provide antiretroviral treatment to millions of people living with HIV/AIDS. He also led the global response to the SARS outbreak in 2003 and advocated for strengthening health systems. Lee emphasized transparency, equity, and access to essential medicines throughout his tenure. His leadership style and vision had a lasting impact on global health policy. He died on May 22, 2006, in Hanoi, Vietnam, during a WHO regional meeting.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1914, Martin Gardner earned a degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago. He began writing the 'Mathematical Games' column for Scientific American in 1956, a series that ran for 25 years and inspired many to explore puzzles and recreational mathematics. Gardner authored over 70 books on mathematics, magic, philosophy, and skepticism, blending deep insights with playful examples. He was a leading figure in the skeptical movement, critiquing pseudoscience and paranormal claims in his 'Notes from a Scientific Skeptic' column. His work popularized topics like Conway’s Game of Life, Penrose tilings, and flexagons, influencing both amateur puzzle enthusiasts and professional mathematicians. Gardner also wrote extensively on cryptography and magic, performing tricks and explaining their mathematical underpinnings. He passed away on May 22, 2010, leaving a legacy as the 'Father of Recreational Mathematics.'