July 15

Born in 940 in Buzhgan, he made pioneering contributions to trigonometry, including the development of sine and tangent tables. He introduced new algorithms for computing astronomical tables and improved the understanding of lunar and solar motions. His work on the secant and cosecant functions laid key foundations for later scholars. He designed astronomical instruments to enhance observation accuracy. His name endures through a lunar crater, reflecting his lasting impact on astronomy and mathematics.

Born in 1686, Vasily Tatishchev served as a high-ranking statesman in the Russian Empire, promoting regional development and industrial reforms. He is best known for his monumental work 'History of Russia', published in 1739, which became the first multi-volume account of the nation's past. Tatishchev also played a key role in the founding of Yekaterinburg and Perm, contributing to Russia's economic expansion in the Urals. His extensive travels and ethnographic observations provided unique insights into Russia's diverse peoples. Despite controversies over some of his sources, Tatishchev's scholarship laid the groundwork for future Russian historiography before his death in 1750.

Claude Charles Fauriel, born in 1772, was a distinguished scholar who advanced the study of Romance languages and medieval literature. He assembled one of the first collections of folk songs from regions of Italy, contributing to the early development of ethnology. As a professor and member of academic societies, Fauriel published influential works on Greek and French philology. His historical writings provided new insights into the cultural and social life of the Middle Ages. Fauriel died in 1844, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer in comparative literature and historical research.

Born in 1852 in Euskirchen, Germany, Emil Fischer studied under renowned chemists at Bonn and Heidelberg. He developed the Fischer esterification and introduced the Fischer projection, revolutionizing the structural understanding of carbohydrates. Fischer’s synthesis of purines paved the way for advances in organic and medicinal chemistry. In 1902, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on sugar and purine syntheses. His research laid the foundation for modern biochemistry and influenced generations of chemists through his prolific teaching and publications.

Born in 1868 in Saint Petersburg, Poland-Lithuania, Ladislaus Bortkiewicz earned his doctorate in mathematics before teaching in Kiev, Basel, and Berlin. He is renowned for his work on the Law of Small Numbers, applying the Poisson distribution to analyze rare events such as mortality rates. His interdisciplinary approach bridged mathematics with economics and demographics, influencing the development of econometrics. Bortkiewicz’s publications provided methodological foundations for statistical study of social science data. His insights continue to inform contemporary research in statistics, economics, and actuarial science.

Irving Babbitt (1865–1933) was a prominent American academic and literary critic at Harvard University. As a founder of the New Humanism movement, he emphasized moral and classical ideals in literature. His major works, including 'Literature and the American College' and 'Rousseau and Romanticism', critiqued sentimentalism and naturalistic trends. Babbitt argued for temperance, discipline, and restraint in both art and personal conduct. His ideas influenced generations of writers and educators in the early 20th century. Despite controversy, his scholarship left a lasting impact on literary criticism and cultural thought.

Eugen Bleuler (1857–1940) was a Swiss psychiatrist and director of the Burghölzli psychiatric hospital in Zurich. He introduced the term 'schizophrenia' in place of 'dementia praecox' and expanded understanding of the illness's breadth. Bleuler also used the word 'autism' to describe a key symptom in schizophrenia. His seminal work 'Dementia Praecox oder Gruppe der Schizophrenien' influenced psychiatry and diagnostic criteria worldwide. A student of Wilhelm Griesinger, he combined clinical observation with psychoanalytic ideas. His contributions laid foundations for modern psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

Brother Marie-Victorin Kirouac (1885–1944) was a Canadian botanist and member of the Christian Brothers teaching order. He spearheaded the creation of the Jardin Botanique de Montréal, which became one of the largest botanical gardens in North America. His landmark work 'Flore laurentienne' cataloged the plant species of southern Quebec, establishing him as a leading authority. He held professorships at Université de Montréal and promoted scientific research among students. Marie-Victorin's dedication to education and conservation advanced botanical science in Canada. His legacy endures through the garden and the scientific organizations he helped found.

Nina Karlovna Bari (1901–1961) was a pioneering Russian mathematician specializing in Fourier series and functional analysis. She studied under the celebrated mathematician Nikolai Luzin at Moscow State University. Bari made significant contributions to the theory of trigonometric series convergence. Her research influenced subsequent developments in real analysis and operator theory. One of the few prominent female mathematicians of her time, she also taught at Moscow University. Her work remains a foundation for research in mathematical analysis.

Grace Hutchins was a pioneering American labor reformer, sociological researcher, and writer whose work advocated for workers' rights and social welfare. Born in 1885, she graduated from Radcliffe College and began her career as a social worker. She collaborated with Anna Rochester to publish seminal works on labor issues, including Women Who Work. Hutchins served as editor for the Communist Party's Labor Herald and was a prominent figure in the American left from the 1920s through the 1940s. Throughout her life, she remained committed to improving working conditions, advancing women's rights, and promoting economic justice in the United States.

Alireza Shapour Shahbazi (1942–2006) was a distinguished Iranian archaeologist and academic who specialized in the study of Achaemenid and Sasanian empires. He authored numerous publications on ancient Iranian art, architecture, and iconography. Shahbazi led excavations at key historic sites and played a pivotal role in preserving Iran's cultural heritage. His academic work earned him international recognition and invitations to collaborate with museums and research institutions worldwide. Shahbazi's legacy endures through his influential studies and the scholars he mentored during his career.

John T. Riedl was an American computer scientist born in 1962, celebrated for his work on recommender systems. As a professor at the University of Minnesota, he advanced research in social computing and collaborative filtering. Riedl co-founded the GroupLens research group, producing influential prototypes and publications. His work laid the foundation for personalized recommendations used by major online platforms. He published extensively and mentored many graduate students during his academic career. Beyond research, he was a sought-after speaker at international conferences. Riedl passed away in 2013, leaving a profound impact on the field of information science.