September 07

Robert Estienne (1503–1559), also known as Robertus Stephanus, was a pioneering printer and lexicographer in 16th-century Paris. He introduced innovative typographic practices and produced critical editions of the Hebrew Bible and the Latin Vulgate. Estienne’s work on Greek lexicons and dictionaries significantly advanced classical scholarship. Appointed royal bookseller to King Henry II, he championed the use of accurate texts and scholarly annotations. After relocating to Geneva due to religious controversy, he continued publishing landmark works that shaped Renaissance humanism. Estienne’s legacy endures in the standards he set for text editing and book design.

Born in 1549, Denis Godefroy emerged as a leading jurist of his time. He specialized in the study of Canon and Roman law, publishing critical editions of medieval legal codes. Godefroy served as a legal advisor to prominent ecclesiastical and royal authorities, influencing the development of European legal traditions. His meticulous research and editorial work laid important foundations for future legal historians. He passed away on September 7, 1622, leaving a lasting legacy in legal scholarship.

Born in 1728, Peter Frederik Suhm was a pioneering historian and writer in Denmark-Norway. His multi-volume histories covered the ancient and medieval periods of Danish and Norwegian realms, emphasizing original sources and critical analysis. Suhm also contributed to the intellectual life of Copenhagen, co-founding scholarly societies and libraries. His detailed research set new standards for historical scholarship in Scandinavia. He died on September 7, 1798, leaving an enduring impact on Nordic historiography.

Louis-Guillaume Le Monnier was born in 1717 and became a key figure in the French Enlightenment scientific community. As a member of the French Academy of Sciences, he conducted experiments on plant physiology and the conductive properties of minerals. Le Monnier collaborated with other leading scientists on studies of electricity, mineralogy, and geological phenomena. His meticulous observations and experiments advanced understanding of natural sciences in the 18th century. He died on September 7, 1799, remembered as a versatile scholar.

Born in 1838 in Cristinești, Moldavia, he studied law and history in Paris. He pioneered modern Romanian philology, founding journals on language and folklore. Hasdeu authored influential dictionaries, encyclopedias, and etymological studies. He wrote historical dramas and articles promoting Romanian identity and education. He founded the Review of Romanian Literature and trained a generation of scholars. His work laid foundations for Romania's academic institutions and cultural revival.

Edward Grey (1862–1933), 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon, was a distinguished British politician and birdwatcher. He held the office of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs during a critical prelude to World War I and famously remarked, "The lamps are going out, we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime." Educated at Eton and Oxford, Grey also co-founded the British Ornithologists’ Union and authored works on avian studies. His dual legacy in diplomacy and natural history left an enduring impact on international relations and wildlife conservation.

A. J. P. Taylor (1906–1990) was one of Britain's most renowned historians, celebrated for his engaging style and accessible writings on European diplomatic history. His book 'The Origins of the Second World War' challenged conventional narratives by critically reassessing the causes of the conflict. Taylor held academic positions at leading universities and was a familiar voice on radio broadcasts, bringing scholarly debates to a broad audience. He authored over thirty books and was praised for combining academic rigor with popular appeal. His provocative interpretations sparked controversy but profoundly influenced modern understanding of 19th and 20th-century Europe.

Edwin McMillan (1907–1991) was an eminent American scientist whose research led to the discovery of neptunium, the first transuranium element. Working at the Berkeley Radiation Laboratory, he collaborated with Philip Abelson to isolate element 93 in 1940, expanding the periodic table beyond uranium. For this achievement, he received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1951, sharing the honor with Glenn Seaborg. McMillan also contributed to the Manhattan Project and later served as director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He was president of the American Physical Society and was known for promoting scientific research and innovation throughout his career.

Born in 1930, William Howard Goetzmann earned acclaim as a scholar of American frontier history. His influential book 'Exploration and Empire' won the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1967, shedding light on the role of scientists and explorers in the American West. Goetzmann served as a professor at Yale University, mentoring generations of students and expanding the field of Western American studies. He authored or co-authored numerous works on exploration, scientific inquiry, and art history, blending rigorous research with engaging storytelling. A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he was recognized for his interdisciplinary approach. Goetzmann's scholarship transformed perceptions of the American West and its cultural legacy. He passed away in 2010, leaving a lasting intellectual heritage.

Daniel Weinreb began his career at MIT's AI Lab in the 1970s, contributing to influential Lisp systems like Interlisp and Maclisp. In the early 1980s he co-founded Symbolics, helping commercialize Lisp machines and shaping the development of AI hardware. He later held key roles at Sun Microsystems and ITA Software, and was a major contributor to open-source Lisp implementations such as CMUCL and SBCL. A respected mentor and speaker, Weinreb balanced deep technical expertise with a playful sense of humor. He passed away in 2012, leaving a lasting legacy in the programming world.

Albert Allen Bartlett was a professor of physics at the University of Colorado Boulder for over five decades. Beginning in the late 1960s, he delivered his famous talk 'Arithmetic, Population, and Energy' more than 1,700 times worldwide, warning of the dangers of unchecked exponential growth. His clear explanations and thought-provoking examples made complex scientific concepts accessible to broad audiences. Bartlett was a passionate advocate for energy conservation and sustainable population policies, earning recognition from scientific and environmental organizations. He died in 2013 shortly after celebrating his 90th birthday.