May 26

Bede spent most of his life at the twin monasteries of Wearmouth and Jarrow in Northumbria. He authored more than 60 works, ranging from Biblical commentaries to scientific treatises. His most famous work, The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, provided a detailed account of early English history and remains a vital source for historians. Bede also contributed to computations of the dating of Easter and the Anno Domini calendar system. His scholarship earned him the honorific 'The Venerable', and he was one of the first scholars of the early medieval period. Bede was canonized in 735, and his writings influenced generations of historians and theologians.

Sebastian Münster was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and Hebrew scholar active in the early 16th century. He is best known for his monumental work 'Cosmographia,' one of the earliest comprehensive descriptions of the world in print. Münster combined maps, illustrations, and cultural observations to produce a visually stunning and informative atlas. His scholarship drew on classical sources and contemporary exploration, bridging medieval and modern worldviews. Educated in Tübingen and Basel, he taught Hebrew and advocated for accurate geographical knowledge. 'Cosmographia' remained a foundational reference for scholars and explorers for decades after his death.

Born in 1714 in Scotland, Burnett served as a judge on the Court of Session and held the title Lord Monboddo. He pursued studies in linguistics, exploring the origins and development of language. Burnett also speculated on the evolution of species decades before Darwin, suggesting a common descent of humans and apes. His work blended philosophy, natural history, and legal scholarship, challenging orthodox views of human nature. Burnett hosted learned discussions at his Monboddo estate, attracting leading intellectuals. He died in 1799, remembered for his interdisciplinary contributions and bold theories.

Born in 1824, Bernays specialized in classical philology at the University of Leipzig. He produced critical editions of Greek and Latin authors, emphasizing linguistic precision and textual analysis. His scholarship influenced generations of classicists and contributed to the understanding of ancient literature. Bernays was also a respected teacher, mentoring students who became prominent scholars. His publications on syntax and semantics remain references in philological studies. He passed away in 1881, leaving a legacy in the field of classical scholarship.

William H. Shockley was an American mining engineer born in 1855 with extensive experience in mine development. Beyond his engineering career, he pursued amateur photography, capturing images of industrial and natural scenes. He also collected plant specimens and conducted botanical studies, contributing to regional herbariums. Shockley's blend of technical skill and scientific curiosity reflected the Victorian era's multidisciplinary spirit. Though lesser known today, his work exemplified a dedication to both applied engineering and natural history. His legacy highlights the value of combining professional expertise with passionate hobbies.

Charles Horace Mayo was born in 1865 into a family dedicated to medicine and health care. Alongside his father and brother, he established the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1889. He helped develop the clinic’s team-based approach to patient care and emphasized integrated medical research. Mayo introduced surgical advancements in thyroid treatment and appendectomies, improving patient outcomes. Under his leadership, the clinic grew into a global center for medical innovation and education. His vision of multidisciplinary collaboration remains a cornerstone of modern medical practice.

Born in 1898, Waldo Semon earned a degree in chemical engineering and joined B.F. Goodrich. In 1926, he developed plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), revolutionizing the plastics industry. His work led to durable, moldable polymers used in everything from household goods to medical devices. Semon held over 100 patents and spearheaded research in synthetic rubber during World War II. He also invented the electrolyte for modern batteries used in torpedoes and submarines. His innovations shaped the development of advanced materials across multiple industries. He passed away in 1999, leaving a legacy as one of the most prolific chemists of the 20th century.

Born in 1931, Nikolai Chernykh graduated from Saint Petersburg State University with a degree in astronomy. Working at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, he specialized in searching for and tracking asteroids and comets. He co-discovered more than 500 minor planets between 1966 and 2003, greatly expanding our knowledge of the solar system. Chernykh also contributed to astrometric measurements and the development of observational techniques. He published numerous research papers and mentored a generation of Soviet and Ukrainian astronomers. His legacy includes several celestial bodies named in his honor, reflecting his prolific contributions. He died in 2004, remembered as a leading figure in 20th-century planetary astronomy.

Arisen Ahubudu (1920–2011) was a renowned Sri Lankan scholar whose research greatly enriched Sinhala language and literary studies. He wrote numerous books on linguistics, folklore, and history, helping to preserve Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage. As a playwright, Ahubudu crafted dramas that blended mythological themes with contemporary social commentary. He served as a professor at the University of Colombo and shared his expertise through lectures internationally. Ahubudu also mentored generations of writers and poets, fostering a renaissance in Sinhala arts. His enduring legacy is reflected in the institutions he strengthened and the many writers he inspired.

Born in 1933 in Serbia, Miodrag Radulovacki earned his medical degree before moving to the United States to pursue research. As a professor of pharmacology at the University of Kentucky, he discovered the somnogenic properties of adenosine and its impact on sleep homeostasis. His work laid the foundation for understanding the biochemical mechanisms of sleep and influenced the development of treatments for sleep disorders. Radulovacki published over 200 peer-reviewed articles and mentored generations of neuroscientists. He received numerous awards for his contributions to neuropharmacology and served on editorial boards of major scientific journals. His research continues to inform the fields of sleep medicine and neurobiology. He passed away in 2014, leaving a legacy of scientific discovery.

Born in Topeka, Kansas, William R. Roy began his career as an obstetrician-gynecologist and contributed articles to local newspapers. He served in the Kansas State Senate before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1970, where he advocated for healthcare reform and civil rights. Roy ran for the United States Senate in 1974 and 1978, bolstering the Democratic presence in a traditionally Republican state. After leaving Congress, he returned to medicine and continued to write and speak on public policy issues. His multifaceted career bridged medicine, media, and politics, leaving a legacy of service in Kansas and beyond.

Born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Robert Kraft earned his doctorate in astrophysics and joined the University of California, Berkeley, where he became a leading expert on the kinematics of stars and the structure of galaxies. He served as director of the Lick Observatory and chaired Berkeley’s astronomy department, guiding research on supernova remnants and stellar populations. Kraft helped develop key observational techniques that shaped modern astrophysics and mentored generations of astronomers through his teaching and leadership in professional societies.