September 11

Born in Tübingen in 1665, Camerarius studied medicine and natural history at the University of Tübingen. In 1694, he published De sexu plantarum epistola, the first scientific work demonstrating the existence of male and female organs in plants through meticulous experiments. His observations of stamens and pistils revolutionized understanding of plant reproduction. Camerarius served as a professor of botany and medicine, mentoring future luminaries and expanding the university’s botanical garden. His research influenced Carl Linnaeus and subsequent generations of botanists. He died in 1721, leaving a lasting legacy as a founder of modern botany.

Born in Paris in 1704, Godin studied at the Collège Mazarin before joining the French Academy of Sciences. In 1735, he was selected for the French Geodesic Mission to Peru to measure a degree of meridian near the equator, alongside Pierre Bouguer and Charles-Marie de La Condamine. His precise measurements provided key evidence for the Earth’s oblateness at the poles. After returning to France, Godin became professor of astronomy and geography at the Collège Royal and later at the Paris Observatory. He published detailed accounts of his expedition and contributed to mapping efforts. Godin died in 1760, remembered as a pioneer in geodesy and astronomy.

Born in 1772 in London to a Sephardic Jewish family, Ricardo began his career as a successful stockbroker before turning to economics. His 1817 work, Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, introduced theories on rent, wages, and profit that became cornerstones of classical economics. Ricardo’s theory of comparative advantage justified free trade by showing how nations benefit from specializing in production. He served as a Member of Parliament for Portarlington, advocating for financial and trade reforms. His rigorous use of deductive reasoning set a new standard for economic analysis. He died in 1823, leaving a legacy as one of the 'Big Three' of classical economics alongside Adam Smith and Thomas Malthus.

Born in Châteaudun, France, in 1786, Nicollet studied mathematics and astronomy at the École Polytechnique. He served as director of the Saint-Domingue Observatory before political upheaval prompted his emigration to the United States in 1827. Nicollet conducted extensive surveys of the Upper Mississippi River basin and Great Plains, producing some of the most accurate maps of the region. His landmark work, Hydrographical Basin of the Upper Mississippi River, combined scientific rigor with detailed observations of Native American cultures. Nicollet’s maps influenced subsequent explorers such as John C. Frémont and aided westward expansion. He died in 1843 while preparing a new expedition, leaving a reputation as a pioneer of American cartography.

Born in 1825 in Massachusetts. He joined Harvard University as a professor of rhetoric and English literature. Child pioneered the academic study of folklore by collecting hundreds of English and Scottish ballads. Between 1882 and 1898 he published The English and Scottish Popular Ballads, now known as the Child Ballads. His work laid the groundwork for modern folkloristics and ethnomusicology. Child's meticulous research continues to influence scholars of folk traditions worldwide.

Charles Norris was born in 1867 and became New York County's first appointed medical examiner in 1918. He introduced systematic laboratory analyses to death investigations and championed the use of toxicology to solve poisoning cases. Norris's work in the aftermath of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire led to significant industrial safety reforms. Over nearly two decades as coroner, he elevated the standards of forensic pathology in the United States. He died in 1935, leaving a legacy as a founder of American forensic medicine.

Born Mary Acklam Hooley in 1862 in Chelsea, England, Mary Proctor emigrated to the United States where she became a prominent figure in astronomy education. She wrote and edited numerous books and magazines aimed at young readers, including the popular "Stardust" magazine. Proctor lectured widely and contributed articles to scientific journals and newspapers. Her engaging storytelling and clear explanations made complex astronomical concepts accessible to a broad audience. Throughout her career, she advocated for science education and inspired generations of amateur astronomers. She continued her work well into her later years and passed away in 1957.

Born in 1904 in the Austro-Hungarian region that is now Ukraine, Tadeusz Żyliński studied engineering at Lviv Polytechnic. He specialized in soil mechanics and foundation engineering, authoring influential textbooks that became standard references in the field. As a professor at the Warsaw University of Technology, he established advanced research laboratories and trained generations of engineers. Żyliński's work was instrumental in post-war reconstruction projects across Poland. He also served as a consultant on major infrastructure developments. He passed away in 1967, leaving behind a legacy of innovation in geotechnical engineering.

Albert Soboul was born in 1914 and became a leading scholar of the French Revolution. As a professor at the Sorbonne, he introduced a Marxist perspective that highlighted the influence of the sans-culottes and popular movements. Soboul's influential works, such as The Sans-Culottes and The French Revolution 1787-1799, became foundational texts in revolutionary studies. He was instrumental in expanding access to primary archives, enabling detailed research on 18th-century France. Soboul mentored generations of historians and played a key role in shaping modern historiography of the Revolution. His scholarship emphasized social and economic factors over purely ideological interpretations. Until his death in 1982, he continued to publish widely, leaving a lasting impact on the field of history.

Myrna Mack was a dedicated Guatemalan anthropologist whose research focused on the social and economic conditions of Maya communities during the country's civil conflict. Born in 1949, she documented human rights abuses and advocated for justice through field studies and testimony before international bodies. In 1990, she was murdered by a military death squad, an act that led to landmark legal cases in international human rights law. Her family pursued justice for decades, ultimately securing convictions and establishing important precedents for accountability. Mack's scholarship and courage inspired other researchers and activists to challenge oppression. Her legacy endures as a powerful example of academic work in the service of human rights.

Born in Birmingham, Harding studied medicine at Oxford University and developed a focus on inherited neuropathies. She was the first neurologist to demonstrate mitochondrial DNA mutations in human nerve tissue, revolutionizing understanding of genetic disorders. Harding held a professorship at the University of Wales College of Medicine, leading groundbreaking research in clinical neurogenetics. She served as President of the Association of British Neurologists and authored numerous influential publications. Despite her untimely death in 1995 at age 43, her contributions continue to shape diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in neurology.

Jean Séguy (1925–2007) was a French sociologist renowned for his pioneering studies of religious sects, secularization, and the sociological dimensions of faith. His work examined the dynamics of minority religions and the cultural transformations of modern Europe. Séguy authored influential books and articles that bridged sociology and religious studies. He held academic positions at institutions such as the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris. His empirical research and theoretical insights contributed significantly to the sociology of religion. Séguy's scholarship continues to inform contemporary debates on religious pluralism and social change.