June 26

Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Tusi, known as Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, was born in 1201 in Tus, Persia. He made groundbreaking contributions to trigonometry, astronomy, and ethics. Tusi served as director of the Maragha Observatory, where he refined astronomical tables and instruments. His mathematical works introduced the Tusi-couple, influencing later scholars including Copernicus. He authored texts on logic, theology, and philosophy, bridging Islamic and Greek thought. Tusi's commentary on ethics became standard in the Islamic world. He died in 1274, leaving a legacy as one of the most influential medieval scholars.

Gilbert White was born in 1720 in Selborne, Hampshire, and served as a curate while passionately observing his local environment. His detailed records of bird migration, insect behavior, and plant development were published in The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne (1789), which became a classic of natural history literature. White emphasized systematic field observation over theoretical speculation, influencing later scientists such as Charles Darwin. His pioneering approach to studying nature in its own context laid the groundwork for modern ecology. He died in 1793, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the earliest ecologists.

Johannes Jährig was born in 1747 and became a leading linguist specializing in Tibetan and Mongolian languages. He worked as a translator for the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, rendering key Buddhist and historical texts into European languages. Jährig’s studies provided some of the first comprehensive insights into Central Asian culture and religion for Western scholars. His meticulous translations and linguistic analyses laid the foundations for modern Oriental studies in Europe. He died in 1795, remembered as a bridge between Eastern texts and Western scholarship.

Born in 1788 in Dublin, Edward Sabine was a pioneering geophysicist and astronomer. He led Arctic expeditions to chart variations in Earth's magnetism and conducted pendulum experiments to measure gravitational forces. His work established the concept of geomagnetic secular variation and laid the groundwork for modern meteorology and solar-terrestrial physics. Elected President of the Royal Society in 1861, he championed scientific collaboration and innovation. Sabine also studied bird migration patterns, contributing to early ornithology. He passed away on 26 June 1883, leaving a lasting impact on multiple scientific fields.

Adelaide Ames was born in 1900 in Milford, New Hampshire, and earned her Ph.D. at Radcliffe College studying under Harlow Shapley. She joined the Harvard College Observatory, where she investigated stellar populations and clusters. Ames co-authored the 'Catalogue of Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies' with George Abell, a work that became essential for extragalactic research. She served on the faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, mentoring students and advocating for greater inclusion of women in astronomy. Her career was cut short by her untimely death on 26 June 1932, but her scientific contributions continue to influence modern astrophysics.

Karl Landsteiner was born in 1868 in Vienna and studied medicine at the University of Vienna. In 1901, he identified the ABO blood group system, revolutionizing the safety of blood transfusions worldwide. Later, he co-discovered the Rh factor, further refining transfusion medicine. Landsteiner moved to the Rockefeller Institute in New York in 1923, where he continued his immunological research. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1930 for his groundbreaking work. His publications laid the foundation for modern hematology and immunology. Landsteiner passed away on 26 June 1943, leaving an indelible mark on medical science.

Engelbert Zaschka (1895–1955) was a German engineer and inventor who pioneered experimental rotary-wing aircraft and folding automobile concepts. In the 1930s, he developed early models of helicopters and autogyros, exploring the principles of vertical flight. Zaschka also designed compact, folding vehicles aimed at urban mobility, patenting several unique configurations. His inventive work bridged the automotive and aviation industries during the interwar period. Although few of his prototypes entered mass production, his ideas influenced later developments in personal transportation and rotary-wing engineering.

Born in 1888, Andrija Štampar was a Croatian physician renowned for his groundbreaking work in public health. He served as the first president of the World Health Assembly, playing a key role in the establishment of the World Health Organization. Stampar founded the Zagreb School of Public Health and advised numerous governments on hygiene and disease prevention measures. He championed universal health care and the concept of social medicine, influencing health policies across Europe. Today, the Andrija Štampar School of Public Health at the University of Zagreb stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.

Born in 1920, William H. Riker was a leading American political scientist who founded the discipline of positive political theory. His seminal work applied mathematical models and game theory to understand coalition formation and voting behavior. Riker's book 'The Theory of Political Coalitions' revolutionized the study of legislative politics. He served as a professor at Yale University, mentoring generations of scholars. Riker's analytic approach transformed political science into a more rigorous and predictive social science.

Born in 1932 in Turkey, Necmettin Hacıeminoğlu pursued advanced studies in linguistics and philology. He served as a professor at prominent Turkish universities, shaping generations of students. His publications on Turkish morphology, syntax, and regional dialectology became standard references in the field. Hacıeminoğlu was known for his rigorous scholarship and dedication to preserving linguistic heritage. He passed away in 1996, leaving behind a rich legacy of academic contributions.

Harald Keres was a prominent Estonian physicist whose work laid the foundations of theoretical physics in Estonia. Born in 1912, he established the Institute of Physics at the University of Tartu and led research on nuclear physics and cosmic rays. He served as a professor for over four decades, mentoring generations of scientists. Keres published seminal papers in quantum mechanics and relativity, helping modernize physics education in post-war Estonia. His leadership integrated Estonian science into the global community, and his legacy endures through the many physicists he trained.