July 12

Xue Juzheng rose through the ranks of the civil service to become a trusted official under the Later Zhou and Song dynasties. He is best known for compiling the Old Book of Tang, an official history of the Tang dynasty that remains a key source for scholars. His work exemplified rigorous documentation and helped establish the tradition of official historiography in China. Through his writings and administrative roles, Xue shaped the record of one of China's golden ages.

Born in 1466, Erasmus became a leading figure of the Northern Renaissance, famous for his mastery of classical languages and his satirical work Praise of Folly. A proponent of Christian humanism, he sought to reform the Church through education and scholarship rather than schism. Erasmus produced critical editions of the New Testament and corresponded with thinkers across Europe, influencing the Reformation and Enlightenment. His emphasis on reason, moderation, and tolerance secured his place as a pivotal intellectual in European history.

Jean Picard was born in 1620 and ordained as a priest before dedicating himself to astronomy and geodesy. He is best known for accurately measuring a degree of latitude in France, which allowed him to calculate the Earth's radius with unprecedented precision. His work provided crucial data that later influenced Isaac Newton's theory of gravitation. Picard also served as the first director of the Paris Observatory, where he improved instrument design and timekeeping methods. He collaborated with leading scientists of his age and published several astronomical tables. He passed away on July 12, 1682, remembered as a founder of modern geodesy.

Robert Stevenson pioneered lighthouse engineering in Scotland. Born in Edinburgh in 1772, he served as the engineer-in-chief for the Northern Lighthouse Board. He designed and built over 30 lighthouses, including the famous Bell Rock Lighthouse. Stevenson's work improved maritime safety with innovations like rotating optics and foghorns. He trained successive generations of engineers in his family, establishing a lasting legacy. His contributions earned him a reputation as one of Britain’s foremost civil engineers of the 19th century.

Gertrude Bell was born in 1868 and studied at Oxford before embarking on extensive travels in the Middle East. She conducted archaeological excavations and developed deep knowledge of Arab culture and languages. During World War I, Bell served as a political officer and intelligence agent for the British government. Her insights and relationships with tribal leaders helped shape the postwar boundaries of Iraq. Bell played a key role in establishing the Iraq Museum in Baghdad and advised the first Iraqi monarch. Known as the 'female Lawrence of Arabia,' she left a lasting impact on Middle Eastern diplomacy and scholarship.

Boris Galerkin was born in 1871 in the Russian Empire and trained as an engineer and mathematician. He became a professor at the Imperial Institute of Roads and Communications in St. Petersburg. In 1915, he introduced the Galerkin method, a fundamental technique for converting differential equations into approximate algebraic equations, which became central in the finite element method. His work bridged theoretical mathematics and practical engineering applications, influencing structural analysis and elasticity theory. He published extensively and mentored generations of scientists before his death in 1945.

Eila Campbell was a pioneering English geographer and cartographer whose work advanced the study of cartographic techniques. Born in 1915, she authored numerous academic papers on map projections, toponymy, and map history. As a faculty member at the London School of Economics, she influenced generations of geographers and cartographers. Campbell served as editor of leading geography journals, shaping the discourse in her field. Her contributions to the Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa and the Cambridge Gazetteer demonstrated her expertise in regional geography. Her lifetime commitment to geographic scholarship helped establish modern standards for cartographic research and education.

François Furet was a prominent French historian whose work reshaped understanding of the French Revolution. Born in 1927, he challenged Marxist interpretations and emphasized the complexities of revolutionary political culture. His landmark book, Interpretation of the French Revolution, presented a new analytical framework for historians. Furet held professorships at prestigious institutions, including the University of Chicago and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales. He also served as director of the National Foundation of Political Sciences in Paris, influencing academic policy. Furet's critical approach and rigorous scholarship continue to guide modern studies of revolution and political history.

Arkady Ostashev was a leading Soviet and Russian scientist and engineer specializing in rocketry and missile systems. Born in 1925, he played a key role in testing and refining the R-7 Semyorka, the world's first intercontinental ballistic missile. Ostashev's expertise contributed directly to the success of the Sputnik and Vostok space programs. He led teams at OKB-1 (now RKK Energia), overseeing critical launch operations during the early Space Age. His work earned him numerous awards, including the Lenin Prize, and his innovations laid the groundwork for future space exploration efforts.

Amar G. Bose was born in 1929 and earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from MIT. In 1964, he founded the Bose Corporation, revolutionizing audio equipment with research-driven designs. His work in acoustics led to breakthroughs in speaker technology and noise-cancellation systems. He taught at MIT for over 45 years, mentoring future engineers and entrepreneurs. He died in 2013, leaving a legacy of innovation at the intersection of engineering and business.

Born in 1920, Elaine Morgan authored both scientific works and television scripts. Her 1972 book popularized the aquatic ape hypothesis, challenging views on human origins. She wrote for series such as 'Doctor Who,' showcasing her versatility across genres. Morgan received honors including an honorary fellowship from Swansea University. She died in 2013, leaving behind a diverse body of work spanning science and entertainment.

Alfred de Grazia was a distinguished scholar who served as a professor at New York University and authored over thirty books on politics and methodology. Born in 1919 into an academic family, he developed innovative approaches to quantitative political analysis. Later in his career, he also researched and published on unconventional topics such as UFO sightings and paranormal events. De Grazia founded the interdisciplinary Rex Research archive, promoting free scientific inquiry. His diverse contributions bridged rigorous political science and explorations of fringe phenomena.