May 26

Petty began his career as a physician and served under Oliver Cromwell, conducting the Down Survey of Ireland. He applied quantitative methods to economics, land valuation, and public finance. His seminal work 'Political Arithmetick' introduced statistical concepts to government policy. Petty advanced theories on population growth, wealth distribution, and labor value. He was a founding fellow of the Royal Society and engaged in debates with Hobbes and Locke. His interdisciplinary approach laid foundations for modern economics and demography.

A Huguenot exile in England, de Moivre made foundational contributions to probability theory and early statistical methods. His book 'The Doctrine of Chances' became a seminal text in probability. De Moivre's formula (cos θ + i sin θ)^n provided a powerful link between complex analysis and trigonometry. He collaborated with and influenced Newton, Euler, and other leading mathematicians. De Moivre's work anticipated the central limit theorem and advanced analytical approaches. He spent his later years in London, teaching and writing until his death.

Vaillant served at the Jardin du Roi in Paris, conducting extensive studies of Parisian flora and fungi. His publication 'Botanicon Parisiense' cataloged plants around Paris and introduced innovative classification criteria. He is credited with coining the term 'Mycologie' for the study of fungi. Vaillant's meticulous observations advanced botanical taxonomy and influenced Carl Linnaeus. He contributed to the development of herbarium collections and botanical gardens. His legacy endures in botanical nomenclature and mycological research.

Born in Wigan, Lancashire, in 1750. He became the first actuary of the Equitable Life Assurance Society in London and produced one of the earliest accurate life tables. His 1789 Treatise on the Valuation of Annuities and Assurances established mathematical methods for calculating insurance premiums. Morgan introduced principles of risk management and solvency that shaped the life insurance industry. His systematic approach to probability and statistics laid the groundwork for the professional actuarial field. He served in his role until his death in 1833, leaving a lasting legacy in finance and insurance.

Born in 1904 in Kaunas, Vlado Perlemuter moved to Paris to study at the Conservatoire under Marguerite Long. He developed a close friendship with composer Maurice Ravel and became one of the foremost interpreters of Ravel's works. Perlemuter maintained a distinguished concert career across Europe, acclaimed for his poetic touch and clarity. In 1937, he began teaching at the Paris Conservatory, where he influenced generations of pianists with his emphasis on musical structure and expression. He made numerous recordings that remain reference performances. Even in his later years, he continued to give masterclasses until his retirement. His legacy persists in both performance and pedagogy.

Born in 1907 in Paris, Jean Bernard studied medicine at the University of Paris. He developed innovative staining techniques that revolutionized the examination of blood cells under the microscope. Bernard's research led to new classifications and treatments for leukemia and other hematological disorders. In the 1950s, he founded the Institute of Hematology at the University of Paris, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. He authored over 200 scientific papers and received numerous awards, including membership in the French Academy of Sciences. Even after retirement, he continued to mentor young researchers. Bernard's work laid the foundation for modern hematology and improved countless lives.

J. F. Ade Ajayi (May 26, 1929 – January 25, 2014) was a distinguished Nigerian historian and academic. He served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos and President of the International African Institute. Ajayi's seminal work, "A Short History of Africa", became a standard text in African studies. He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy for his contributions to historiography. His research reshaped understanding of West African kingdoms and pre-colonial history. Ajayi mentored generations of scholars and helped establish African history as a global discipline.

Hans Freeman (May 26, 1929 – March 17, 2008) was an Australian bioinorganic chemist and protein crystallographer. He pioneered structural studies of metalloproteins such as hemocyanin and [NiFe] hydrogenase. Freeman established the Biomolecular Research Institute at the University of Adelaide. He published over 200 papers and mentored many leading structural biologists. Freeman served as President of the International Union of Crystallography. His work advanced understanding of metal–protein interactions and enzyme mechanisms.

Born on May 26, 1938, Andrew Clennel Palmer was a pioneering engineer in the oil and gas industry. He held key positions at major international energy firms and academic institutions. Palmer’s research focused on well engineering, subsea pipeline design, and offshore platform safety. He published numerous technical papers and served as a visiting professor at Imperial College London. His contributions advanced the reliability and efficiency of deepwater extraction methods. Palmer’s work left a lasting impact on global energy production practices.

Jim Dobbin was born on May 26, 1941, and trained as a microbiologist before entering politics. He conducted significant research in medical microbiology and published studies on microbial pathogenesis. In 1997, he was elected as the Labour Member of Parliament for Heywood and Middleton, serving until his death in 2014. Dobbin chaired the Health Select Committee and was a vocal advocate for improved healthcare services and research funding. His scientific expertise informed his legislative work, earning him respect across party lines. Known for his dedication to constituents, he combined his passions for science and public service throughout his career.

Born in Michigan in 1949, Ward Cunningham is a pioneering software developer and technologist. He invented the first wiki in 1995, creating a new paradigm for collaborative content creation on the web. Cunningham co-authored works on software design patterns and contributed to the Agile and Extreme Programming movements. He served as technical fellow at various tech companies, advising on community-driven software projects. His innovations underpin platforms like Wikipedia, profoundly influencing how knowledge is shared online.

Lou van den Dries is a Dutch mathematician renowned for his work in mathematical logic, model theory, and o-minimal structures. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Amsterdam and has held professorships at institutions including the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Van den Dries's research has advanced the understanding of p-adic fields, definable sets, and the connections between logic and geometry. He has published widely cited papers and mentored numerous doctoral students, earning membership in the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.