June 23

John Fell was born in 1625 and educated at Exeter College, Oxford. He became Bishop of Oxford and Dean of Christ Church, championing academic rigor. Fell reorganized the university's statutes and improved its libraries and presses. A staunch royalist, he rebuilt Oxford after the Civil War's disruptions. He died in 1686, leaving a legacy as a reformer of English higher education.

Étienne Fourmont was born in Paris in 1683. A scholar at the Collège Royal, he became one of Europe's first sinologists. In 1737, he published one of the earliest European grammars of the Chinese language, introducing systematic study of Chinese scripts and vocabulary to Western academia. His lexicons and translations opened Chinese literature and history to European scholars. Elected to the French Academy of Inscriptions, Fourmont’s rigorous approach shaped Oriental studies for generations. He died in 1745, leaving a lasting impact on the field.

Déodat Gratet de Dolomieu was born in 1750 in Aix-en-Provence, France. A professor at the University of Grenoble, he conducted extensive fieldwork in the Alps. He studied the distinct chemistry and structure of a carbonate rock, later named dolomite in his honor. Dolomieu published detailed accounts of Alpine geology, advancing the understanding of mountain formation. His work laid the groundwork for modern stratigraphy and mineralogy. Recognized by scientific societies across Europe, he made geology a rigorous academic discipline. He died in 1801, remembered as a pioneer of geological science.

John Milton Bernhisel was born in 1799 and trained as a physician before turning to public service. After relocating to the Western frontier, he became a leader among Utah settlers. In 1851, he was appointed the first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Utah Territory. During his terms, he advocated for infrastructure development, territorial organization, and the rights of local communities. His efforts helped secure federal recognition and resources for the growing territory. Following his political career, he resumed his medical practice while remaining active in civic affairs. He died in 1881, remembered for bridging medicine and politics in a formative era of American westward expansion.

Karol Marcinkowski was born in 1800 in Poznań, then under Prussian control. After earning his medical degree, he practiced as a physician while becoming a leading public figure. Recognizing the challenges facing Polish communities, he founded medical clinics, charitable societies, and cultural associations. He promoted Polish-language education and vocational training through the Scientific Society in Posen. Marcinkowski’s work strengthened civic solidarity and national identity during a period of foreign domination. His dedication to social reform influenced later generations of Polish activists. He died in 1846, leaving a legacy of humanitarianism and national revival.

Paul Heinrich von Groth was born in 1843 and studied chemistry and mineralogy in Germany. He became a professor at the University of Strasbourg, directing its mineralogical institute. Groth compiled one of the first comprehensive catalogues of minerals, detailing their chemical composition and crystal structures. He introduced quantitative methods to characterize minerals, laying the foundation for modern crystallography. In 1905, he founded 'Mineralogische Mitteilungen', an influential scientific journal. His classification system and methodological rigor influenced generations of geologists and mineralogists. He died in 1927, remembered as a pioneer in the scientific study of minerals.

Verena Winifred Holmes (1889–1964) was one of the first female mechanical engineers in Britain, pioneering work on precision measuring instruments. She held patents for innovative steam engine indicators and joined Vickers, contributing to naval and aircraft engineering projects. In 1924, Holmes became the first woman member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. During World War II, she directed factory production and improved manufacturing processes for the war effort. A founding member of the Women's Engineering Society, she mentored generations of women engineers and championed technical education.

Alfred Charles Kinsey (1894–1956) was an American entomologist who redirected his research to human sexual behavior, founding modern sexology. At Indiana University, he conducted thousands of interviews, producing the 'Kinsey Reports' on male (1948) and female (1953) sexuality. His empirical, statistical approach challenged moral taboos and influenced public discourse on sex, marriage, and gender roles. Kinsey established the Institute for Sex Research to advance scientific study and education in human sexuality. His work provoked controversy and debate but ultimately paved the way for more open conversations about sexual health and rights.

James Meade was born in 1907 in Swanage, England, and studied economics at Cambridge University. He joined the faculty of the London School of Economics, where he developed foundational theories in international trade and welfare economics. In 1977, Meade shared the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his analysis of trade patterns and the effects of tariffs and capital movements. His influential works, including The Theory of International Economic Policy, shaped post-war economic planning and policy debates. Meade also served in the UK Treasury, advising on monetary and fiscal issues during critical periods. His academic career was marked by a commitment to rigorous analysis combined with practical policy relevance. Meade retired in 1969 and passed away in 1995, leaving a lasting legacy in modern economics.

Alan Turing’s 1936 paper introduced the concept of the Turing machine, laying the foundation for modern computing theory. During World War II, he played a pivotal role at Bletchley Park, deciphering the German Enigma code and significantly aiding the Allied victory. After the war, Turing proposed the Turing Test as a benchmark for machine intelligence and contributed to early designs for programmable computers. His research extended to mathematical biology, exploring patterns in nature. Tragically, Turing’s career was cut short by legal persecution for his homosexuality, but his profound legacy endures in every aspect of computer science.

Saleh Ajeery (1920–2022) was one of Kuwait's pioneering astronomers, dedicating his career to research and education in the field. He founded and led the Kuwait Astronomical Society, organizing public observations and lectures to spark interest in astronomy. Ajeery authored numerous books and articles on celestial phenomena, making complex concepts accessible to general audiences. He served as a consultant to regional space and science institutions, fostering international collaborations. His lifelong passion inspired generations of students and helped establish astronomy as a respected discipline in the Middle East.

Morris R. Jeppson (1922–2010) was a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces and an expert in ordnance and physics. He served as the assistant weaponeer aboard the B-29 bomber Bockscar during the 1945 mission that dropped 'Fat Man' on Nagasaki. Jeppson was responsible for removing the safety plugs and arming the bomb in flight, a critical role in the mission's success. After the war, he earned advanced degrees in physics and worked in nuclear research and the aerospace industry. He remained active in veterans' communities, providing firsthand accounts of atomic warfare and its implications.