September 13

Born in 1755 in Delaware, Evans displayed mechanical ingenuity from an early age. He designed the first fully automated flour mill using bucket elevators and conveyors. Evans patented a high-pressure steam engine, influencing the nascent American industrial revolution. His Young Mill-Wright and Miller’s Guide became a foundational text for early engineers. He navigated fierce patent disputes and built mills across the Eastern Seaboard before dying in 1819.

Born in Virginia in 1851, Reed graduated from the University of Virginia and earned his M.D. As head of the U.S. Army Yellow Fever Commission in Cuba, he proved that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes spread yellow fever. His groundbreaking work saved countless lives and transformed public health measures in tropical regions. Reed served as Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, implementing medical and sanitary reforms. He died in 1902, and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center was later named in his honor.

Born in Berlin in 1873, Constantin Carathéodory made significant advances in real and complex analysis, measure theory, and the calculus of variations. He introduced pivotal theorems in the theory of functions and thermodynamics and authored influential textbooks that shaped 20th-century mathematics. Carathéodory held professorships in Berlin, Göttingen, and Munich, mentoring a generation of mathematicians. His work impacted fields from differential equations to the axiomatic formulation of thermodynamics. He died in 1950, leaving a lasting mathematical legacy.

Wilhelm Blaschke was an Austrian-German mathematician celebrated for his foundational work in differential and integral geometry. Born in 1885, he held professorships at the University of Hamburg and the University of Istanbul, influencing generations of geometers. Blaschke formulated the Blaschke selection theorem and made significant advances in the theory of convex bodies. He authored the monumental three-volume "Vorlesungen über Differentialgeometrie," which became a standard reference. Throughout his career, Blaschke received numerous honors and memberships in prestigious academies for his pioneering research.

Sir Robert Robinson was an English organic chemist who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1947 for his research on plant and synthetic alkaloids. Born in 1886, he conducted groundbreaking studies on the structure of morphine and other natural products, pioneering methods that shaped modern synthetic organic chemistry. Robinson introduced the concept of the "Robinson annulation," a key reaction in constructing complex ring systems. He served as President of the Royal Society and was knighted for his contributions to science. His work laid the foundation for pharmaceutical developments and earned him international acclaim.

Leopold Ružička was a Croatian-Swiss chemist who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1939 for his investigations of polymethylenes and higher terpenes. Born in 1887 in Vukovar, he studied under Hermann Staudinger and later headed the organic chemistry division at ETH Zurich. Ružička's research elucidated the structures of sex hormones and natural odorants, advancing both biochemistry and industrial chemistry. Under his leadership, ETH Zurich became a leading center for chemical research. His legacy endures through numerous eponymous reactions and contributions to steroid chemistry.

Kai Setälä was a renowned Finnish physician whose work bridged clinical practice and academia. He served as a professor at the University of Helsinki, where he developed innovative curricula in internal medicine. Setälä's research contributed to improvements in patient care protocols and diagnostic methods. He organized community outreach programs that broadened healthcare access in rural Finland. Renowned for his mentorship, he trained numerous specialists who continued his medical and academic legacy. Throughout his career, he received honors for his contributions to Finnish medicine. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in medical education and research.

Born in 1917, Carol Kendall dedicated her career to uncovering the narratives of the past. She authored numerous books and articles that explored various facets of American history. Her work was praised for its clarity, thorough scholarship, and accessibility to general audiences. Kendall received recognition from academic institutions for her contributions to historical studies. Throughout her life, she mentored young historians and remained active in writing and lecturing. Her legacy endures through the many readers and scholars influenced by her research.

Born in 1917, Robert Ward balanced his military service with a prolific career in music composition. He composed works that blended classical traditions with American themes. In addition to composing, he dedicated time to educating aspiring musicians at various institutions. Ward's dual legacy in military service and music education set him apart as a multifaceted figure. He was honored by both military organizations and musical societies for his contributions. Until his death in 2013, he continued to compose, teach, and inspire the next generation of artists.

Andrew Brimmer was born in 1926 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University and taught at several universities. In 1966, Brimmer became the first African American to serve on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. He advised multiple administrations on monetary policy and economic development. Brimmer also worked at the World Bank and led the U.S. Civil Rights Commission’s Equal Employment Opportunity program. His contributions advanced economic research and helped shape modern financial policy. Brimmer's work paved the way for greater diversity in economic leadership.

Tadao Ando is a self-taught Japanese architect born in 1941. He gained international acclaim for his use of smooth concrete, light, and natural elements to create serene and contemplative spaces. Ando's notable works include the Church of the Light, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. His designs seamlessly blend architecture with landscape, reflecting a deep respect for nature and Japanese tradition. He has received the Pritzker Architecture Prize and numerous other international honors. In addition to his practice, Ando has lectured widely, influencing a generation of architects through both his buildings and teachings.

Dimitri Nanopoulos earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University before embarking on a global research career. He has published over a thousand papers on grand unified theories, supersymmetry, and the quest for a theory of everything. Nanopoulos has collaborated with institutions like CERN and Fermilab, contributing to key experiments in particle physics. As a professor at Texas A&M University, he mentored generations of scientists and led pioneering research projects. He received numerous honors, including the Scientific Achievement Award from the Academy of Athens. Through public lectures and publications, he has made complex theoretical concepts accessible to wider audiences.