June 15

James Short was a Scottish mathematician and optician renowned for his work on reflecting telescopes. Born in 1710 near Almonte, he apprenticed as a plumber before studying mathematics and astronomy in London. He perfected the design of precision speculum-metal mirrors, producing some of the finest telescopes of his era. Short's instruments were sought after by leading observatories across Europe for their clarity and accuracy. He published influential works on conic sections and instrument design, contributing to the advancement of practical optics. His legacy lives on in the high-standard telescopic technology that paved the way for modern astronomy.

Born on December 13, 1867, in Oslo, Kristian Birkeland developed an early interest in physics and astronomy. He studied at the University of Christiania and later in Berlin, where he specialized in electromagnetism. In 1903, he led a scientific expedition to the Arctic to study the northern lights firsthand. Birkeland proposed that charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field, a theory later confirmed as Birkeland currents. He founded the Auroral Observatory in Tromso and published extensive research on atmospheric electricity. His work laid the foundation for modern space and plasma physics. Birkeland died on June 15, 1917, but his legacy endures in geophysics and space science.

Born in 1873, Otfrid Foerster earned his medical degree at the University of Breslau. He conducted groundbreaking research on the physiology of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves. Foerster developed innovative neurosurgical procedures to relieve pain in neuralgia and spinal injuries. He collaborated with Charles Sherrington to map functional areas of the cerebral cortex. His work laid the foundation for modern neurophysiology and neurosurgery. During World War I, he treated soldiers with nerve injuries, improving rehabilitation methods. Foerster died on June 15, 1941, remembered as a leader in neurological science and surgery.

Wendell Meredith Stanley (1904–1971) was a pioneering American biochemist and virologist awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946. His landmark research crystallized the tobacco mosaic virus, demonstrating that viruses could be studied as chemical entities. This breakthrough laid the groundwork for modern virology and molecular biology. Stanley led research at the Rockefeller Institute and later held leadership roles at major academic institutions. His interdisciplinary approach advanced understanding of viral diseases and influenced vaccine research.

Sir William Arthur Lewis was born in Saint Lucia in 1915 and became a leading figure in development economics. His dual-sector model provided groundbreaking insights into the role of surplus labor in economic growth. In 1979, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences as the first black laureate in that category. Lewis held academic positions at prestigious institutions, including the London School of Economics and Princeton University. He guided policy development for newly independent nations and served as the first Professor of Economics at the University of the West Indies. His work influenced economic planning across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Arthur Lewis passed away on June 15, 1991, leaving a profound legacy in economics.

John Vincent Atanasoff conceived and built the Atanasoff–Berry Computer (ABC) in the late 1930s at Iowa State College. This machine introduced binary arithmetic and electronic switching elements, laying the groundwork for modern computing. Born in 1903, Atanasoff completed his Ph.D. in theoretical physics before turning to practical inventions. Although his work went unrecognized for decades, a landmark patent dispute in 1973 affirmed his priority in computer design. He spent much of his career in academia and consultancy, contributing to scientific research and technological development. Atanasoff's innovations remain foundational to computer science. He passed away on June 15, 1995, revered as a visionary inventor.

Bill Haast was an American herpetologist and founder of the Miami Serpentarium in 1947. He became renowned for his practice of injecting himself with snake venom to build immunity and advance scientific understanding. Haast collected venom from hundreds of species, supplying research institutions and hospitals with crucial antivenoms. His work saved countless lives and brought international attention to the medical potential of venom studies. Beyond his scientific pursuits, he maintained a public persona as the 'Snake Man,' educating visitors on reptile conservation. Haast’s lifelong dedication to herpetology and public outreach cemented his status as a pioneer in toxinology.

Phillip D. Cagan was a distinguished American economist whose work shaped modern understandings of monetary policy. He authored seminal studies on the behavior of money supply, particularly the history of inflation from the 19th to the 20th century. Cagan served as a senior economist at the Federal Reserve, advising on critical economic reforms. His writings, including analyses of hyperinflation dynamics, remain references in macroeconomic research. He also taught at leading universities, mentoring a generation of economists. Through his scholarly publications and policy contributions, Cagan left a lasting imprint on the field of monetary economics.

Israel Nogueda Otero was a prominent Mexican economist and political leader in the mid-20th century. After establishing himself in economic planning, he entered public service with a focus on regional development. Nogueda Otero was elected as the 10th Governor of Guerrero, where he implemented policies aimed at improving infrastructure and education. He worked to balance economic growth with social welfare programs to benefit rural communities. His tenure was marked by efforts to modernize local governments and foster civic engagement. Throughout his career, he remained committed to public administration and economic reform in Mexico.

Kenneth G. Wilson was an American theoretical physicist noted for applying renormalization group theory to critical phenomena in physics. He received the 1982 Nobel Prize in Physics for his groundbreaking contributions to phase transitions and critical points. Born in 1936, he studied at Harvard University and earned his Ph.D. from Caltech under Murray Gell-Mann. Wilson spent much of his career at Cornell University, where he mentored numerous students and advanced computational methods in physics. His work bridged quantum field theory and statistical mechanics, profoundly influencing modern condensed matter physics. Wilson's legacy endures through his foundational theories and the scientists he inspired.