July 17

Educated at the University of Glasgow and Oxford, Adam Smith became a professor of moral philosophy at Glasgow, where he lectured on ethics and jurisprudence. His seminal work, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments,' explored human morality and sympathy. In 1776, he published 'An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations,' introducing theories of free markets, division of labor, and the invisible hand. Smith's ideas laid the foundation for classical economics and influenced the development of capitalism. His work continues to be studied for its insights into economics, ethics, and social organization.

Born in Sheffield in 1718, Roebuck studied medicine before pursuing chemistry and industrial innovation. In 1746, he patented the lead chamber process, dramatically increasing sulfuric acid production for use in dyeing and metallurgy. He established factories at Prestonpans and collaborated with contemporaries like Josiah Wedgwood. Despite early successes, Roebuck faced financial difficulties and declared bankruptcy in 1763. His chemical discoveries, however, played a key role in the Industrial Revolution and laid foundations for modern chemical engineering.

Josef Hyrtl (1810–1894) was a distinguished Austrian anatomist and educator whose work transformed anatomy instruction. As a professor at the University of Vienna, he introduced detailed anatomical atlases and wax models that became teaching standards across Europe. His seminal text, 'Anatomy of the Human Body,' was celebrated for its clarity and precision. Hyrtl conducted pioneering research on the vascular system and cranial nerves. His public anatomical demonstrations attracted large audiences and elevated medical education. He served as dean of the medical faculty and received numerous honors for his contributions. Hyrtl’s legacy endures in the foundational techniques of modern anatomical study.

Henri Poincaré (1854–1912) was a polymath whose groundbreaking work laid the foundations for modern mathematics and physics. He formulated the Poincaré conjecture, a central problem in topology, and pioneered the qualitative theory of dynamical systems. Poincaré contributed to celestial mechanics and the three-body problem, uncovering early insights into chaos theory. He engaged in the development of special relativity, emphasizing the principle of relativity before Einstein’s formulation. As a professor at the Sorbonne and École Polytechnique, he mentored generations of scientists. His philosophical writings explored the nature of scientific discovery and mathematical thought. Poincaré’s innovations continue to influence mathematics, physics, and the philosophy of science.

William James Sidis (1898–1944) was famed for his genius, entering Harvard at age 11 and lecturing on advanced mathematics. He published work on four-dimensional bodies and explored linguistic and anthropological studies. Despite early fame, Sidis withdrew from public life, pursuing modest jobs to avoid the spotlight. He advocated for privacy and critiqued social institutions in his later writings. His life story remains a subject of fascination and debate regarding the pressures on gifted individuals.

Maud Menten was a trailblazing Canadian scientist whose work laid the foundation for modern enzyme kinetics. Born in 1879, she earned her medical degree and the first PhD in biochemistry awarded by the University of Toronto. In 1913, she co-authored the Michaelis–Menten equation, a landmark model describing enzyme-substrate reactions. Menten conducted significant research on hemoglobin variants and the ABO blood group system. She became one of the first female professors at the University of Toronto and advocated for women in science. Her groundbreaking contributions continue to influence biochemistry research today, decades after her death in 1960.

Emin Halid Onat was a leading Turkish architect who played a pivotal role in shaping Turkey's modern built environment. Born in 1908 in Istanbul, he studied architecture at Berlin Technical University before returning to Turkey in the 1930s. He served as a professor at Istanbul Technical University, training generations of architects and scholars. Onat co-designed Anıtkabir in Ankara, creating a monumental symbol of the Turkish Republic. His work blended modernist principles with traditional Turkish motifs, influencing post-republic architecture. Onat remained active in academia and practice until his death in 1961, leaving a lasting legacy in Turkish architectural history.

Delaunay developed the concept of Delaunay triangulation, a fundamental construct in computational geometry. He studied at Saint Petersburg University under Aleksandr Andreev. His work spanned geometry, number theory, and algebraic functions. He contributed to the establishment of modern graph and mesh generation algorithms. Delaunay held academic positions and mentored a generation of Soviet mathematicians.

Spiegel served as a professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. He co-authored influential studies on human sexuality and marriage counseling. As president of the American Psychiatric Association, he advanced clinical training standards. He advocated for destigmatizing mental health issues and broadening psychiatric research. His publications and lectures shaped modern perspectives on psychotherapy and psychiatry.

David Kelly was a microbiologist and expert in biological warfare who worked for the UK's Ministry of Defence. He became widely known in 2003 as a UN weapons inspector in Iraq, assessing the nation's alleged weapons of mass destruction. His testimony to a parliamentary committee and subsequent media revelations led to intense scrutiny of government claims. Kelly's tragic death prompted a public inquiry that questioned the conduct of both the press and political leaders. He was remembered for his professionalism and candid approach to disarmament. His passing in 2003 sparked debates over transparency and accountability in government communications.

Leszek Kołakowski was one of the most influential philosophers of the 20th century, acclaimed for his penetrating critiques of Marxist ideology and comprehensive histories of philosophy. Born in Poland, he taught at the University of Oxford and made significant contributions to the study of political thought, ideology, and religion. His three-volume work 'Main Currents of Marxism' remains a foundational text in political philosophy. Beyond his academic writings, Kołakowski was a public intellectual who engaged with debates on freedom, culture, and ethics during the Cold War. He received numerous honors for his scholarship and was a fellow of the British Academy. His legacy endures through his profound impact on philosophical and historical discourse.

William Raspberry was a prominent columnist for The Washington Post for over four decades, where he tackled pressing topics such as racial equality, politics, and social justice. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1994, recognizing his eloquent and thought-provoking analysis. Before joining the Post, Raspberry wrote for the Louisville Courier-Journal and earned a reputation as a voice for reform. Beyond journalism, he served as a lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School, mentoring future writers. His writing influenced public discourse and inspired generations of journalists. Raspberry’s legacy endures through his compelling advocacy for civil rights and community engagement.