July 22

Leonhard Thurneysser, born in 1531 in Switzerland, was a polymath who excelled in medicine, alchemy, and natural philosophy. He served Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg, as his personal physician and court scholar. Thurneysser established one of the earliest printing presses in Berlin and compiled botanical and pharmaceutical compendiums. He was renowned for experimenting with metallurgical processes and herbal remedies. His works influenced the development of European science and herbal medicine in the late Renaissance. Despite controversies over his alchemical pursuits, his intellectual curiosity and publications cemented his place in scientific history. He died in 1595, leaving a legacy of interdisciplinary scholarship.

Georg Wilhelm Richmann (1711–1753) was a German-Russian physicist and academic. He conducted early experiments on atmospheric electricity in St. Petersburg. Richmann measured electrical charges during thunderstorms using novel instrumentation. He became the first scientist recorded to have been killed by lightning during an experiment. His tragic death underscored the dangers of electrical research in the 18th century. Richmann's work contributed to the emerging field of electrostatics.

Gaspard de Prony (1755–1839) was a French mathematician and engineer. Commissioned by the French government, he oversaw the creation of extensive logarithmic and trigonometric tables. De Prony organized teams of human 'computers' to calculate mathematical tables for use in engineering. His publication 'Logarithmes du corps humain' was a monumental achievement in applied mathematics. He also contributed to hydraulic engineering and the development of mathematical instruments. De Prony's systematic approach influenced computational methods long before the digital age.

Friedrich Bessel (1784–1846) was a German astronomer and mathematician. He made the first accurate measurement of stellar parallax for 61 Cygni, proving Earth's motion. Bessel developed functions and equations foundational to mathematical physics, known as Bessel functions. He served as director of the Königsberg Observatory and improved astronomical instrumentation. Bessel's work in astrometry and celestial mechanics greatly advanced the precision of astronomy. His contributions remain fundamental in both mathematics and observational astronomy.

Jakob Hurt was a pioneering figure in Estonian cultural studies in the 19th century. He collected and published thousands of folk songs and tales, preserving the heritage of his nation. As a theologist he served congregations while advocating for the Estonian language in religious and academic contexts. Hurt organized extensive folklore expeditions, inspiring future generations of scholars and folklorists. His work laid the foundation for the study of Finno-Ugric languages and his legacy remains central to Estonian identity.

William Archibald Spooner was an Oxford academic who served as Warden of New College for over forty years. He became famous for his verbal slips, in which initial sounds of words are transposed, leading to terms known as spoonerisms. Though often lampooned for his gaffes, Spooner was a respected scholar of theology and classics. His gentle personality and sense of humor made him a beloved figure among students and colleagues. The enduring popularity of spoonerisms has immortalized his name in English language humor.

Janusz Korczak was a pioneering pediatrician and early advocate for children's rights in Poland. He ran orphanages where he implemented progressive educational methods and respected children's opinions. As an author he wrote influential works on child psychology and the beloved novel 'King Matt the First'. When the Warsaw Ghetto was established he refused offers of sanctuary and accompanied his orphans to the Treblinka extermination camp, where he perished in 1942. Korczak's unwavering commitment to children has made him a timeless symbol of compassion and sacrifice.

Augusta Fox Bronner was a leading figure in early 20th-century child psychology. She conducted groundbreaking research on adolescent development and behavior. Bronner advocated for juvenile court systems and specialized educational programs for at-risk youth. Her publications provided frameworks for understanding and supporting children's mental health. She lectured widely and influenced policies that shaped modern approaches to child guidance and welfare.

Born July 22, 1887, Gustav Ludwig Hertz was a pioneering physicist whose experiments advanced atomic theory. Alongside James Franck, he conducted the Franck–Hertz experiment which demonstrated quantized energy levels in atoms. For these groundbreaking findings, he and Franck were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1925. Hertz held professorships at the University of Berlin and later led the Physics Institute at the University of Halle. His research influenced the development of nuclear physics and quantum mechanics in the early 20th century. He continued teaching and mentoring students until his death in 1975, leaving a profound scientific legacy.

Born July 22, 1888, Kirk Bryan became a leading figure in the study of desert geomorphology and Quaternary geology. His fieldwork in the American Southwest provided key insights into erosion, sediment transport, and landscape evolution. Bryan served as a professor of geology at Harvard University where he nurtured a generation of Earth scientists. He introduced new concepts in geomorphic processes, establishing frameworks that remain in use today. Through meticulous mapping and analysis, he laid the foundation for modern environmental geology. His legacy endures in the continued study of arid climates and landform dynamics.

Born July 22, 1888, Selman Waksman was a biochemist whose research revolutionized medicine and pharmacology. At Rutgers University, he led studies on soil microbes and screened natural products for antibiotic activity. His team’s discovery of streptomycin provided the first effective treatment for tuberculosis. For these achievements, Waksman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1952. He coined the term "antibiotic" and helped establish the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy. His work saved countless lives and remains foundational in the fight against infectious diseases.

Born in Topeka, Kansas, Karl Menninger co-founded the Menninger Clinic in 1925, which became a leading center for psychiatric research and treatment. He emphasized patient-centered care and contributed to destigmatizing mental illness through his writings and public lectures. Menninger authored influential books such as 'The Human Mind' and helped found the American Psychiatric Association's education programs. He served as APA president and worked tirelessly to integrate psychoanalytic concepts into mainstream psychiatry. His legacy includes the Menninger Foundation, which continued to advance mental health understanding after his death in 1990.