July 10

Born in 1592 in Saint-Martin-de-Laye, France. Appointed genealogist to Louis XIII and later Louis XIV. Compiled exhaustive pedigrees of French nobility in multi-volume works. Authored 'Recueil des familles et maison de France' (Collection of French families). Provided crucial evidence in legal disputes over inheritance and peerage. His meticulous methods set a standard for genealogical research. Maintained archives still used by historians and genealogists today. Died in 1660, leaving an enduring legacy in historical scholarship.

John Ernest Grabe was a prominent German theologian and scholar who converted to Anglicanism. Educated at the University of Leipzig, he dedicated his career to the study of patristics and early Christian history. Grabe produced critical editions of the works of Church Fathers, including Eusebius and Clement of Alexandria, laying the groundwork for modern biblical scholarship. Living in London, he became a respected academic, consulted by bishops and scholars on theological matters. Grabe’s meticulous textual criticism and deep knowledge of ancient manuscripts earned him a lasting reputation. His contributions influenced the development of Anglican theology and historical studies of early Christianity.

Roger Cotes was a brilliant English mathematician and astronomer who became the first holder of the Lucasian Chair at Cambridge in 1709. A key collaborator of Isaac Newton, Cotes edited the second edition of 'Principia Mathematica', adding crucial annotations and a preface that clarified Newton’s theories. He made significant advances in numerical analysis, logarithmic tables, and trigonometry, improving methods for calculating sines and tangents. His work on harmonic analysis laid foundations for future developments in mathematical physics. Cotes proposed the design of the Greenwich Royal Observatory’s circular meridian arc for precise astronomical observations. Though his career was cut short by illness at age 33, his contributions left an enduring legacy in the scientific community.

Countess Eva Ekeblad was a pioneering Swedish agronomist and noblewoman best known for discovering how to make flour and alcohol from potatoes. In 1756, she presented her methods to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, becoming its first female member. Her potato-based recipes helped reduce Sweden’s reliance on grain, alleviating famine and lowering food costs. Ekeblad also worked on improving plant breeding and introduced new horticultural techniques at her estate. Her scientific achievements challenged gender norms of the 18th century and opened doors for women in science. Ekeblad’s legacy endures in agronomy and women’s history.

Robert Chambers was a pioneering Scottish geologist and influential publisher who co-founded the prestigious Chambers Harrap publishing house. His early works on glaciation and fossil geology contributed to the burgeoning field of earth sciences, challenging prevailing theories of his time. In 1820, Chambers and his brother established W. & R. Chambers, initially publishing educational books and magazines, including the 'Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal'. Under his leadership, the firm expanded into reference works, producing the 'Chambers Dictionary of Science and Technology' and other landmark encyclopedias. Chambers advocated for public access to knowledge through affordable publications, democratizing education. His dual legacy as a scientist and entrepreneur shaped both geological research and the modern publishing industry.

Friedrich August von Quenstedt was a pioneering 19th-century geologist based in Tübingen, Germany. He specialized in the study of Jurassic ammonites and brachiopods, contributing significantly to paleontology. In 1843, he published key works on fossilized cephalopods that refined stratigraphic dating methods. He introduced the concept of biostratigraphy by correlating fossil assemblages with geological strata. Quenstedt served as a professor at the University of Tübingen, where he mentored future geologists. His classifications and extensive fossil collections laid the groundwork for modern paleontological research.

Alvan Graham Clark was an American optician and astronomer born in Massachusetts. In 1862, while testing a new telescope lens, he observed Sirius B, confirming the existence of white dwarf stars. His work with Clark & Sons optical firm advanced telescope manufacturing in the United States. Clark also discovered several other double stars and improved refracting telescope technology. He served as the chief optician and contributed to instrument development for major observatories. Clark’s discoveries expanded understanding of stellar evolution and the diversity of star types.

Nikola Tesla was born in the Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia) and emigrated to the United States in 1884. He developed alternating current (AC) electrical systems, including the AC induction motor and transformer. Tesla’s inventions and patents laid the foundation for modern power generation and distribution. He conducted pioneering experiments in radio, wireless energy transfer, and X-ray imaging. Despite his contributions, Tesla died in relative obscurity and financial hardship in 1943. Today, he is celebrated as a visionary scientist whose ideas continue to influence technology.

Ernst Bresslau (1877–1935) was a prominent German zoologist and professor. He made significant contributions to the study of vertebrate morphology and evolutionary relationships. Bresslau’s research included detailed analyses of fish and amphibian anatomy. He authored influential papers that advanced the understanding of developmental stages in various species. His academic career was marked by teaching and leadership at several European universities.

Edith Quimby was a leading figure in the development of medical physics, particularly in nuclear medicine. She conducted groundbreaking research on the biological effects of radiation and its therapeutic applications. Quimby contributed to safe dosage determinations for X-rays and radioactive isotopes. Her studies during World War II advanced radiation safety standards in hospitals. She served as a professor at Columbia University and published extensively on medical radiology. Quimby's work laid the foundation for modern nuclear medicine and radiation protection protocols.

Kurt Alder shared the 1950 Nobel Prize in Chemistry with his mentor Otto Diels for discovering the Diels–Alder reaction, a powerful tool in organic synthesis. Born in Germany, Alder led research that transformed how chemists construct complex molecules, impacting pharmaceuticals, plastics, and materials science. He served as a professor at the University of Kiel, mentoring a generation of chemists. His work remains a foundational element of modern organic chemistry curricula worldwide.

Wolfram Sievers was a German physician who led the Ahnenerbe research institute under Heinrich Himmler, overseeing pseudoscientific studies and medical trials on concentration camp prisoners. After World War II, he was tried at the Nuremberg Doctors’ Trial, convicted of crimes against humanity, and executed in 1948. His role exemplifies the ethical perversion of medical science under the Nazi regime, serving as a grim reminder of human rights violations in the name of ideology.