May 29

Born in Leiden in 1615, Frans van Schooten became a professor of mathematics at his hometown university. He is best known for editing and expanding René Descartes’s works on analytic geometry, making the subject accessible to a wider audience. Van Schooten published the 'Exercitationes Mathematicae,' which introduced readers to the techniques of coordinate geometry and advanced mathematical methods. He also taught and mentored a generation of prominent mathematicians in the Dutch Republic. His translations and commentaries helped disseminate foundational ideas of the Scientific Revolution. Frans van Schooten died in 1660, leaving a lasting impact on mathematics education and scholarship.

Humphry Davy was a pioneering English chemist and academic. He conducted groundbreaking experiments in electrochemistry, leading to the isolation of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium, and boron. Davy invented the safety lamp in 1815, dramatically improving miners' safety. He served as President of the Royal Society from 1820 to 1827, promoting scientific research and mentoring young scientists. He was knighted in 1812 in recognition of his contributions to science. His work laid the foundation for modern electrochemistry and inspired future generations of chemists.

Gabriel Auguste Daubrée was a prominent French geologist known for his innovative approach to experimental petrology. He conducted laboratory experiments to simulate geological processes, advancing understanding of rock formation and metamorphism. Daubrée served as a professor at the École Polytechnique and influenced generations of geologists through his teaching and publications. He was a member of the French Academy of Sciences and received numerous honors for his work. His contributions helped establish geology as a rigorous scientific discipline.

Ignace Lepp was born in Estonia in 1909 and later converted to Catholicism, becoming a priest and theologian. He pursued advanced studies in psychology, aiming to bridge the gap between spiritual beliefs and scientific understanding of the mind. Lepp authored several books on topics such as faith development, moral psychology, and the human quest for meaning. His interdisciplinary approach appealed to both religious audiences and scholars interested in the psychology of religion. Lepp's work contributed to mid-20th-century discussions on spirituality and mental health.

Stephen Timoshenko was born in 1878 in the Russian Empire and studied engineering in Eastern Europe. He became a leading expert in elasticity and strength of materials, authoring foundational textbooks such as Theory of Elasticity and Strength of Materials. In 1937, he joined the faculty at Stanford University and continued to influence generations of engineers worldwide. His rigorous theoretical work and clear pedagogy shaped the field of applied mechanics in the 20th century. Timoshenko passed away on May 29, 1972, leaving a lasting academic legacy.

Born in 1910, Homans became a professor at Harvard University where he developed influential theories on social behavior. His 1958 book 'The Human Group' laid the foundation for behavioral sociology by analyzing group dynamics and social structures. He introduced social exchange theory, suggesting that social interactions are based on cost-benefit analyses among individuals. Homans challenged traditional sociological paradigms by emphasizing empirical research and micro-level analysis. He received the National Medal of Science in 1987 for his contributions to sociology. He passed away on May 29, 1989, leaving a lasting impact on social science research.

Samuel Dash was born in 1925 in the United States. He earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and began teaching constitutional law. Dash joined Georgetown University law faculty and became a respected legal scholar. In 1973, he was appointed chief counsel to the Senate Watergate Committee, overseeing pivotal hearings. His probing questioning and integrity helped unravel the Watergate cover-up. After the hearings, he continued teaching and writing on legal ethics and congressional oversight. He passed away in 2004, leaving a legacy of commitment to the rule of law.

Hamilton Naki was born in 1926 in South Africa. Despite lacking formal medical training due to apartheid, he became a laboratory assistant at the University of Cape Town. He contributed to pioneering research on heart transplants under Professor Christiaan Barnard. Naki trained surgical teams and handled critical experimental procedures. His skill and dedication advanced the field of transplantation, though his contributions were long unrecognized. In later years, he became an advocate for medical education and black healthcare workers. He died in 2005, and posthumous honors have celebrated his groundbreaking work.

Andrew Greeley was a prominent American Catholic priest and one of the most prolific sociologists studying religion. He earned acclaim for his groundbreaking research on Catholic communities and urban life in the USA. As a bestselling author, he wrote over 100 novels and numerous non-fiction works exploring faith, culture, and human relationships. His storytelling blended theological insight with rich character portraits, attracting a wide readership. Greeley also served on academic faculties and contributed scholarly articles on religion and society. His dual legacy as a churchman and public intellectual continues to influence religious studies and popular literature.

Ludwig G. Strauss was a German physician and scholar celebrated for his research in internal medicine. He held professorships at leading universities, mentoring generations of medical students. His clinical studies significantly advanced patient care and informed medical protocols. As an academic author, he published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals. Strauss also served on medical boards and contributed to shaping healthcare policies. His dedication to research and education impacted both the scientific community and patient wellbeing until his passing in 2013.

Walter Jakob Gehring was a Swiss biologist whose pioneering research in developmental genetics revolutionized biology. In the 1980s, he discovered the homeobox gene complex, uncovering fundamental mechanisms of embryonic development. As a professor at the University of Basel, he mentored students and built a leading research group. His work on fruit fly genetics provided insights into gene regulation across species. Gehring published extensively and received prestigious awards recognizing his scientific contributions. His discoveries laid the groundwork for modern evolutionary developmental biology and continue to influence genetic research after his death in 2014.

Born in 1923, Peter Glaser earned his engineering degree and became passionate about renewable energy. In 1968, he published the first concept for solar power satellites to collect sunlight in space and transmit it to Earth as microwaves. His work opened a new field of research in space-based energy systems. Glaser held multiple patents in the areas of photovoltaic conversion and power transmission. Throughout his career, he published numerous papers on sustainable energy technologies. His vision continues to inspire modern efforts to harness solar energy in orbit.