July 25

Born in Sélestat in 1450, Jakob Wimpfeling became one of the leading humanist scholars of his time. He studied theology and classical literature at Freiburg and under renowned humanists in northern Italy. His works advocated a curriculum rooted in Latin and Greek classics, emphasizing moral philosophy and civic virtue. Wimpfeling served as a canon and used his ecclesiastical positions to support educational initiatives. He wrote influential treatises, including calls for moral renewal within the Church and community. Through his writings, he helped lay the foundation for the spread of humanist ideas in Germany. He died in Strasbourg in 1528, leaving a lasting impact on Renaissance education.

Christoph Scheiner was born in 1573 in Markt Wald, Bavaria, and joined the Society of Jesus at age 16. As a Jesuit priest and mathematician, he held teaching positions in Ingolstadt and Rome, where he experimented with optical instruments. Scheiner is best known for his publication 'Rosa Ursina' (1630), in which he presented detailed observations of sunspots using early telescopes. His work sparked a famous correspondence and rivalry with Galileo Galilei over the nature and motion of sunspots. In addition to astronomy, he investigated the theory of the eye and optics, contributing designs for camera obscura and the helioscope. Scheiner’s research advanced the understanding of solar phenomena and influenced the development of telescopic techniques. He spent his later years in Rome and Ingolstadt before dying in 1650, leaving a significant legacy in observational astronomy.

Brian Twyne was born in 1581 in Kent and educated at University College, Oxford, where he later served as bursar. He developed a passion for collecting and organizing historical documents, becoming the University of Oxford’s inaugural archivist in 1634. Twyne compiled detailed catalogues of college deeds, statutes, and charters, safeguarding the institution’s legal and financial heritage. His meticulous work laid the foundation for modern archival practices at the university. He maintained close relationships with scholars and university officials, promoting the importance of record-keeping. Twyne’s efforts ensured that many early documents, threatened by neglect or loss, were preserved for future generations. He continued in his role through the turbulent Civil War period and died in 1644.

Theodore Haak was born in 1605 in Heidelberg and pursued studies in theology and languages at the University of Basel. He moved to England in the 1630s, where he became a tutor and engaged with leading intellectual circles. Haak translated important works from German and Dutch into English, including theological treatises and scholarly correspondence. His linguistic talents and network of contacts contributed to the exchange of ideas across Europe. In 1660, he played a part in the formation of the Royal Society, serving as one of its first secretaries and fostering communication among scientists. Haak maintained extensive correspondence with figures such as Robert Boyle and John Locke, aiding the spread of new scientific theories. He died in London in 1690, remembered for bridging continental scholarship and the burgeoning English scientific community.

Paul Langerhans (1847–1888) was a German pathologist, physiologist, and biologist. As a medical student, he identified the clusters of pancreatic cells now known as the islets of Langerhans. His work laid the foundation for the discovery of insulin and advanced the understanding of diabetes. Langerhans also contributed to skin pathology, identifying dendritic cells in the epidermis (Langerhans cells). He conducted research into the physiology of organ systems and infectious diseases. Despite his early death from tuberculosis, his discoveries have had a lasting impact on medicine.

Jacobus Pieter Thijsse (1865–1945) was a Dutch botanist, conservationist, and educator. He co-founded one of the first wildlife preservation societies in the Netherlands. Thijsse published accessible nature guides and popularized plant ecology among the public. He played a key role in creating nature reserves, including the National Park Scheveningen Dunes. Thijsse's work fostered early environmental awareness and bird conservation in Europe. His legacy endures through the annual Thijsse-bond and continued study of Dutch flora.

Frederick Frost Blackman (1866–1947) was an English plant physiologist and academic. He conducted pioneering research on the effects of light and temperature on photosynthesis. Blackman proposed the 'law of limiting factors,' describing how different factors control reaction rates. He served as a professor of botany at University College London. Blackman's studies laid the groundwork for modern plant physiological ecology. His work remains fundamental to understanding plant growth and agricultural science.

Rosalind Franklin was born in 1920 and trained as a chemist at the University of Cambridge. She became an expert in X-ray crystallography, producing Photograph 51 that revealed DNA's double helix structure. Franklin's meticulous research laid the groundwork for the Watson-Crick model, though her contributions were underrecognized during her lifetime. She also made significant discoveries about the molecular structures of viruses such as tobacco mosaic virus. Her perseverance in a male-dominated field and rigorous scientific methods have inspired generations of women in STEM. Franklin died of ovarian cancer in 1958 at age 37, leaving a profound legacy in molecular biology.

John B. Goodenough was born in Jena, Germany, in 1922 and later became an American citizen. He pioneered research in materials science, especially oxide cathodes for lithium-ion batteries. His work enabled the development of portable electronics and electric vehicles. In 2019, at the age of 97, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Goodenough held professorships at MIT, Oxford, and the University of Texas at Austin. He continued active research well into his 90s and passed away in 2023 at age 100.

Edgar Gilbert was born in Detroit in 1923. He earned his Ph.D. from MIT and conducted seminal work in algebra and coding theory. Gilbert co-developed the Gilbert–Varshamov bound, a key result in error-correcting codes. He later turned his attention to network reliability and combinatorial optimization. Gilbert served as a professor at institutions including UC Berkeley. He died in 2013, remembered for advancing both pure and applied mathematics.

Alice Parizeau emigrated from Poland to Canada, where she pursued advanced studies in criminology, focusing on the causes and prevention of crime. Alongside her academic work, she wrote for major Canadian newspapers and magazines, addressing themes of social justice and public policy. Parizeau lectured at universities, bridging the gap between scholarship and the public. Her research and writings contributed to a deeper understanding of criminal behavior and rehabilitation strategies. Through her dual career, she left a mark on both the media landscape and the field of criminology.

Herbert Scarf made significant contributions to mathematical economics, developing computational algorithms that transformed the analysis of general equilibrium. His Scarf algorithm provided economists with practical tools for finding market equilibria. Over his distinguished career, he taught at institutions such as Yale University, mentoring generations of students in quantitative methods. Scarf's research spanned welfare economics, game theory, and public choice, earning him accolades including the John Bates Clark Medal. His innovations continue to influence economic modeling and policy analysis.