July 02

Samuel Penhallow (1665–1726) was an English-born soldier, militia officer, and prolific historian active in colonial New England. He served as a captain in the militia during King William’s War and provided first-hand accounts of frontier life. Penhallow is best known for his detailed History of the Wars of New-England with the Eastern Indians, published in 1726. His writings offer valuable insights into early colonial society, native alliances, and military engagements. He also held various public offices in New Hampshire, including judge and councilor. Penhallow’s work remains a key primary source for historians studying the era. His dual role as participant and chronicler gives his accounts unique authenticity.

Sir Charles Tupper (1821–1915) was a Canadian physician-turned-statesman who played a pivotal role in Confederation and national politics. Educated in England and Scotland, he established a successful medical practice before entering politics in Nova Scotia. As Premier of Nova Scotia from 1864 to 1867 he championed the colony’s entry into Canadian Confederation. Tupper then served in the federal cabinet for almost three decades, holding key portfolios including Postmaster General and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. In May 1896 he became Prime Minister, serving a record short term of just 69 days before losing the election. He remained active in politics as a Senator until his death. Tupper’s contributions to Canadian unity and governance endure in the nation’s history.

Hendrick Peter Godfried Quack (1834-1917) was a Dutch economist and historian renowned for his scholarly works on political economy. He lectured at the University of Amsterdam, exploring the historical development of economic institutions. Quack's publications include analyses of socialism and cooperative movements in 19th-century Europe. His research bridged economic theory and historical context, earning him acclaim among contemporaries. He contributed to understanding the social implications of industrialization in the Netherlands.

Sir William Henry Bragg (1862-1942) was an English physicist, chemist, and mathematician. He shared the 1915 Nobel Prize in Physics with his son Lawrence for developing X-ray crystallography methods. Their work laid the foundation for determining atomic structures of crystals. Bragg held professorships at the University of Adelaide and the University of Leeds. He served as President of the Royal Society and contributed to wartime research on sound and acoustics. His leadership in both research and scientific institutions left a lasting legacy in physical sciences.

Harriet Brooks (1876-1933) was a Canadian physicist and the first Canadian woman to earn a Bachelor of Science. She conducted groundbreaking research on radioactive substances in Ernest Rutherford's laboratory. Brooks discovered the phenomenon of radioactive recoil and studied radon emission series. Her precise measurements and experiments enhanced understanding of atomic decay processes. Despite facing gender barriers, she became a respected academic at McGill University. Brooks's work paved the way for women in physics and advanced early nuclear science.

Born in Bavaria in 1884, Jakob studied medicine at the University of Breslau and specialized in neurology. He conducted groundbreaking research on degenerative brain diseases, describing cases of rapidly progressive dementia. Jakob’s work led to the identification of the condition later named Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease. He authored numerous papers and textbooks that advanced the understanding of neuropathology. His contributions laid the foundation for research into prion diseases before his death in 1931.

Born in 1902 in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Kanapathypillai studied Tamil literature at the University of London. He became a prominent lecturer and published scholarly works on Tamil linguistics and cultural history. His books combined literary analysis with historical research, enriching the study of South Asian languages. Kanapathypillai served as a professor at the University of Ceylon and mentored a generation of writers and teachers. He passed away in 1968, leaving a legacy of academic rigor and literary contribution.

Born in 1906 in Strasbourg, Bethe conducted pioneering research on nuclear reactions in stars. During World War II, he led the theoretical division at Los Alamos on the Manhattan Project. His work on quantum electrodynamics and nuclear physics earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1967. Bethe taught at Cornell University for decades, mentoring generations of physicists. He continued contributing to science and public policy until his death in 2005, revered as one of the great scientists of the 20th century.

Born in Russia and raised in England, Beloff studied at Oxford and became a leading authority on British political history. He served as Montague Burton Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and later as Principal of the University of Buckingham. Beloff authored numerous influential works on Parliament, liberty, and governance, combining rigorous analysis with eloquent prose. In 1981, he was elevated to the peerage as Baron Beloff and contributed to debates in the House of Lords on education and constitutional issues. His legacy endures through his students and the lasting impact of his writings on modern political thought.

Born in Recife, Schenberg earned his doctorate in theoretical physics and became a key figure in Brazil’s scientific community. He made significant contributions to the theory of neutron stars, gravitational collapse, and the Chandrasekhar limit. As a professor at the University of São Paulo, he mentored countless students and helped establish national research programs. Schenberg published influential papers and collaborated with leading international scientists on quantum mechanics and nuclear reactions. He served as president of the Brazilian Physical Society, leaving a lasting impact on science policy and education.

Leonard J. Arrington was an American historian whose research reshaped the study of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as the church’s first official historian and founded the Mormon History Association in 1965. Arrington’s groundbreaking works, such as ‘Great Basin Kingdom’, explored economic and social aspects of Mormon settlement. His academic rigor brought LDS history into mainstream scholarship, earning him widespread respect. He taught at Utah State University and mentored generations of historians in religious studies. Arrington’s legacy endures in the vibrant field of Mormon history, reflecting his commitment to objective research.

John Kneubuhl was a versatile Samoan-American writer whose talents spanned history, television, and theater. He wrote scripts for popular TV series such as ‘Hawaii Five-O’ and ‘Magnum, P.I.’, bringing Pacific settings to mainstream audiences. A trained historian, Kneubuhl conducted research on Polynesian culture and history throughout his career. His original plays explored themes of identity, colonialism, and the Samoan diaspora. He mentored emerging Pacific writers and advocated for authentic representation in the arts. Kneubuhl passed away in 1992, leaving a legacy of cross-cultural storytelling.