September 12

Sir William Dugdale (1605–1686) was a leading English antiquary who revolutionized the study of local history and genealogy. He authored detailed works such as The Antiquities of Warwickshire, drawing on extensive manuscript research. As Garter Principal King of Arms, he had unique access to heraldic and archival records. Dugdale's meticulous methods laid the groundwork for modern historical scholarship. He advocated for the preservation of English monuments during the upheaval of the Civil War. His influence endures through his contributions to archivism and historiography.

Peter Dens (1690–1775) was a distinguished Flemish theologian and professor at the University of Leuven. His seminal work, Theologia Moralis et Dogmatica, became a standard reference in Catholic seminaries across Europe. Dens combined scholarly precision with clear exposition, making complex doctrines accessible to clergy students. He contributed significantly to the Catholic Enlightenment by engaging reason with faith. His writings influenced moral theology debates and guided priestly education for generations. Dens's legacy is reflected in the continued study of his systematic approach to theology.

Born in 1812, Edward Shepherd Creasy was a pioneering English historian and jurist. He served as Recorder of Brighton and Chief Justice of Ceylon, shaping legal thought abroad. His 1851 publication 'The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World' became a classic in military history. Creasy’s vivid analysis of key battles influenced generations of readers and historians. He combined scholarly rigor with engaging narrative to bring history to life. Creasy’s work remains a foundational text for anyone interested in the turning points of world events.

Richard March Hoe was born in 1812 and became a leading American engineer and manufacturer. In 1843, he invented the rotary printing press, enabling newspapers and books to be printed at unprecedented speeds. His innovation transformed the publishing industry and paved the way for mass media. Hoe’s business acumen helped him build one of New York City’s largest printing equipment firms. He held numerous patents and was lauded for his contributions to industrial technology. His rotary press remained the standard for high-speed printing well into the 20th century.

Manuel Espinosa Batista was born in Colombia in 1857 and trained as a pharmacist. He built a successful career in healthcare before entering politics. Batista served in local and national government, advocating for pharmaceutical regulation and public health reforms. His dual background allowed him to bridge medical practice and legislative action. He played a role in shaping early healthcare policies in his country. Batista died in 1919, remembered for his contributions to both medicine and politics.

Dorothy Maud Wrinch was a mathematician, biochemist, and philosopher who developed the controversial cyclol hypothesis for protein folding. Educated at Cambridge, she applied mathematical principles to biological problems at a time when interdisciplinary research was rare. Wrinch collaborated with leading scientists such as James Jeans and John Desmond Bernal, pushing the boundaries of theoretical biology. Her cyclol model, though later disproven, stimulated significant debate and further research into protein chemistry. She also taught at institutions in England and the United States, mentoring a generation of women in science. Wrinch's work paved the way for modern structural biology and interdisciplinary scholarship.

Born in Paris in 1897, Irène Joliot-Curie was the daughter of pioneering scientists Marie and Pierre Curie. She conducted groundbreaking research on artificial radioactivity alongside her husband Frédéric Joliot. In 1935, she became a Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry for her discovery of induced radioactivity. She contributed to the development of radiochemistry techniques used in medicine and nuclear physics. Throughout her career, she served as a professor at the Radium Institute and promoted scientific research in France. Her work laid foundations for cancer treatment and nuclear science. She remained active in academic and governmental roles until her death in 1956.

Haskell Brook Curry was born in 1900 and made foundational contributions to mathematical logic. He developed combinatory logic, an abstraction of function theory fundamental to computer science. His research laid the groundwork for functional programming languages and the lambda calculus. Curry co-authored the influential two-volume work 'Combinatory Logic' which codified the field. He taught at the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University, advancing research and education. The Curry-Howard correspondence in logic and type theory is named in his honor. He remained an active scholar until his death in 1982.

Shmuel Horowitz was born in 1901 and became a leading agronomist in Mandatory Palestine and later Israel. He conducted pioneering research on crop improvement and soil management suited to arid climates. Horowitz held academic positions at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, training generations of agronomists. He directed national agricultural institutes and advised government policy on land reclamation and irrigation. His work supported Israel's early agricultural self-sufficiency and food security. He remained active in research and education until his death in 1999, leaving a lasting impact on sustainable farming.

Born in 1908, Flume studied law at the University of Freiburg and later held professorships at several German universities. His seminal textbooks on German civil law shaped both academic study and practical application of legal principles. He was instrumental in reforming private law through his influential commentary and scholarship. Flume's work earned him national and international recognition, and he remained active in the legal community well into his later years. He passed away in 2009 at the age of 100, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the field of jurisprudence.

Mark Rosenzweig was an influential American psychologist and academic whose groundbreaking studies on environmental enrichment and neuroplasticity reshaped our understanding of the developing brain. Educated at Harvard University, he conducted seminal experiments at the University of California, Berkeley, demonstrating how experience alters brain structure. His work informed education, rehabilitation, and caregiving practices worldwide. He served as president of the American Psychological Association and authored numerous influential publications. Rosenzweig’s legacy endures through ongoing research in cognitive and developmental neuroscience.

Born in Portugal and educated in France, François Tavenas earned his doctorate in civil engineering before moving to Canada in 1969. He joined Université Laval as a professor, conducting research in structural engineering and mentoring students. In 1978, he was appointed director of École Polytechnique de Montréal, overseeing significant campus development. Later, he served as rector of the Université du Québec à Montréal, championing research funding and bilingual education. Tavenas published extensively on earthquake-resistant design and was honored by professional engineering societies. He passed away in 2004, leaving a legacy of academic excellence and institutional growth.