June 18

William Lassell was born in Bolton in 1799 and pursued astronomy alongside his successful brewing business. He constructed a 24-inch reflector telescope at his home, which he used to discover the large moon Triton orbiting Neptune in 1846. In 1848 he also found two satellites of Uranus and observed the dark markings on Mars. Lassell published detailed observations and advocated for the use of large reflectors in astronomical research. His contributions advanced the study of the solar system and inspired future instrument makers.

Born in 1845, Charles Louis Alphonse Laveran was a pioneering figure in medical science. While serving in the French Army’s medical corps, he discovered protozoan parasites in the blood of malaria patients in 1880, identifying the cause of the disease. This breakthrough laid the foundation for modern parasitology and epidemiology. In recognition of his work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1907. He later held a research position at the Pasteur Institute, where he continued to study tropical diseases. Laveran's discoveries saved countless lives and transformed public health strategies.

Born in 1858, Andrew Forsyth was a leading mathematician whose textbooks on differential equations and complex function theory set new standards in mathematical pedagogy. He held prestigious chairs at major British universities and mentored numerous students who became influential in the field. Forsyth's clear and rigorous style made works like 'Theory of Functions of a Complex Variable' essential references for decades. He served as president of the London Mathematical Society, promoting international collaboration and research. His contributions helped advance the rigorous treatment of analysis and paved the way for later developments in modern mathematics. Forsyth remained active in scholarship until his death in 1942.

Édouard Le Roy advanced mathematical studies before turning to philosophical inquiry under the influence of Henri Bergson. He explored the concept of intuition as a means of grasping reality beyond purely rational analysis. Le Roy wrote extensively on religious experience, seeking to reconcile faith with modern scientific thought. As a professor and intellectual, he played a central role in the French academic community and served in leadership positions at the Institut de France. His work bridged the gap between empirical science and spiritual philosophy, leaving a lasting impact on both fields.

Alexander Wetmore specialized in the study of birds and their evolutionary history, publishing numerous works on avian taxonomy. He joined the Smithsonian Institution in 1915 and rose to become its sixth Secretary, serving from 1945 to 1952. Under his leadership, the Smithsonian expanded its research programs and collections, particularly in ornithology and paleontology. Wetmore's fieldwork took him around the globe, from North America to the Pacific Islands, enriching scientific understanding of bird species. His contributions to museum administration and scientific scholarship solidified his reputation as a leader in the natural sciences.

Stanley Knowles was born in the United States and moved to Canada. A professor of economics, he specialized in labour relations and social welfare. Knowles served as Member of Parliament for over three decades. He played a key role in establishing Canada's social safety net, including Medicare. Known as "Mr. Socialism," he championed workers' rights and public housing. After retiring, he continued to lecture and write on economic justice. Knowles received the Order of Canada for his contributions to social policy.

Wilfred Gordon Bigelow was a Canadian surgeon and soldier known for his groundbreaking research in cardiovascular physiology. After serving as a medical officer in the Canadian Army during World War II, he pursued academic work at the University of Toronto. Bigelow and his colleagues developed one of the first implantable cardiac pacemakers in the 1950s. His innovations dramatically improved the treatment of heart rhythm disorders. He published extensively and trained generations of cardiac surgeons. His contributions earned him numerous awards and established the foundation for modern pacemaker therapy.

Sylvia Porter was a pioneering American economist and financial journalist who popularized personal finance. She began writing her syndicated Daily Pocketbook column in 1942, offering practical advice on budgeting, saving, and investing. Porter authored over 30 books, including 'Making Money Work' and 'Money and Your World'. Her clear, conversational style made complex economic concepts understandable to millions of readers. She founded Sylvia Porter's Magazine, which focused on consumer issues and economic literacy. Porter's work helped democratize financial knowledge and inspired generations to take control of their economic futures.

Oswald Teichmüller was a German mathematician best known for his work in complex analysis and geometric function theory. He introduced what is now called Teichmüller spaces, providing a framework for studying deformations of Riemann surfaces. Teichmüller's research laid the groundwork for advances in topology, algebraic geometry, and low-dimensional topology. Despite his promising career, his life and work were cut short when he died in military action during World War II. His publications, published posthumously, continue to be foundational in several mathematical fields. Today, Teichmüller theory remains a vibrant area of research thanks to his early contributions.

Alice T. Schafer was an American mathematician and educator known for her pioneering work in differential geometry and her commitment to mathematics education. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1941. Schafer taught at several institutions, including Mount Holyoke College and Auburn University, where she influenced countless students. She was a founding member and served as the second president of the Association for Women in Mathematics, advocating for gender equality in the sciences. In recognition of her contributions, she received the Mathematical Association of America’s Award for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics. Her legacy endures through scholarships and programs that support women pursuing mathematical careers.

Jerome Karle was an American physical chemist who shared the 1985 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on direct methods of determining crystal structures. Born in New York City in 1918, he studied at the University of Michigan and later worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II. Karle, alongside Herbert A. Hauptman, devised mathematical techniques to interpret X-ray diffraction patterns more efficiently. These methods revolutionized the field of structural chemistry, enabling researchers to determine the arrangement of atoms in complex molecules. He served as a professor at the Naval Research Laboratory and the University of Maryland, mentoring countless scientists. Karle’s contributions laid the foundation for advances in materials science, biology, and pharmacology.

Franco Modigliani was an influential economist whose research reshaped modern economic theory. Born in Rome in 1918, he fled fascist Italy for the United States in 1939, earning his doctorate at the New School. At MIT, Modigliani developed the life-cycle hypothesis, proposing how individuals plan consumption and savings over their lifetimes. Alongside Merton Miller, he formulated the Modigliani–Miller theorem on corporate finance, demonstrating the irrelevance of capital structure under certain conditions. Awarded the 1985 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, he also advised governments and international organizations on monetary policy and pension systems. His insights continue to influence macroeconomics, finance, and public policy.