October 10

David Gregory was the first Regius Professor of Mathematics at the University of St Andrews. He made significant studies of optical phenomena and celestial mechanics. Gregory corresponded with Isaac Newton and helped to popularize Newtonian science. He authored works on algebra and geometry that influenced European universities. His teaching inspired a generation of Scottish scientists during the Enlightenment. He is remembered as a key figure in bringing modern science to Scotland.

Pierre Le Pesant, sieur de Boisguilbert, challenged the prevailing economic policies of Louis XIV’s era. He argued for free commerce and minimal taxation to stimulate growth. His work “Essai sur les finances” is considered foundational in classical economics. Boisguilbert’s ideas influenced later economists like Adam Smith. He combined academic scholarship with practical insights into fiscal reform. He is remembered as a pioneer of economic liberalism.

Born in 1714 in Venice, Francesco Antonio Zaccaria was a Catholic priest, historian, and theologian. He authored numerous treatises on medieval church history, heresy, and biblical exegesis. Zaccaria held academic posts and served as a librarian at major European institutions, influencing the study of ecclesiastical history. His rigorous scholarship and extensive writings remain reference points for historians of the Catholic Church. He died in 1795, leaving a rich legacy of theological and historical works.

Born in 1814, Deville made significant advances in the study of volcanoes, including Mount Etna. He pioneered methods to analyze lava viscosity and mineral composition during eruptions. As a meteorologist, he researched atmospheric humidity and dew point, contributing to early weather forecasting. Deville collaborated with leading European scientists, publishing influential papers in geology and meteorology. His work laid foundational principles for modern volcanology and climate science.

Born in 1866, Andreas Karkavitsas earned a medical degree and practiced as a physician. He later devoted himself to writing, capturing the customs and struggles of Greek peasantry. His notable work, 'The Serfs,' stands out for its realistic portrayal of 19th-century rural communities. Combining scientific observation with vivid narrative, he enriched modern Greek literature. Karkavitsas remains celebrated for his contribution to both medicine and letters.

Born in 1874 in Germany, Gustave Whitehead emigrated to the United States and pursued aeronautical engineering. He built and flew several experimental aircraft around 1901, stirring debate over the first successful flight. Whitehead’s designs contributed to early aviation technology and inspired other inventors. Although controversial, his work highlights the spirit of innovation at the dawn of powered flight. He secured patents for engine and wing control mechanisms that influenced future aircraft.

Born in 1844, Adolf Engler dedicated his career to cataloging and classifying plant diversity. He led the Berlin Botanical Museum and spearheaded major expeditions to collect specimens. Engler’s ordering of families and genera became known as the Engler system. His publications set new standards for systematic botany and global herbarium management. Engler mentored generations of botanists and left a lasting mark on botanical science.

Born in Germany in 1885, Genzken earned his medical degree before joining the Nazi Party and SS medical services in the 1930s. He rose to the rank of SS-Gruppenführer and served as General Commissioner for medical matters in the Waffen-SS during World War II. He was involved in medical experiments and policies that led to his indictment in the Doctors' Trial at Nuremberg. Convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity in 1947, he was sentenced and imprisoned until his release in 1955. After his return to civilian life, his health declined leading to his death in 1957. His career is remembered for its controversial and tragic role in wartime medical abuses.

Born in 1901 in Wellington, New Zealand. He studied at Victoria University and completed his doctorate at the London School of Economics. Beaglehole dedicated much of his career to researching and writing the definitive three-volume biography of Captain James Cook. He also published critical editions of Cook's journals and contributed to Pacific exploration studies. His meticulous scholarship reshaped historical understanding of 18th-century voyages. He was a professor at Victoria University and mentored generations of historians. He passed away in 1971, leaving a lasting legacy in maritime history.

Born in 1881 in Lemberg, then part of Austria-Hungary, von Mises served in World War I with the Austro-Hungarian Army. He earned his doctorate in economics and taught at the University of Vienna, publishing foundational works such as The Theory of Money and Credit. A staunch proponent of methodological individualism, he championed free-market principles and critiqued socialism. In 1940, he emigrated to the United States and became a professor at New York University. His 1949 magnum opus, Human Action, solidified his influence on libertarian thought and modern economics. Von Mises remained an active scholar until his death in 1973, leaving a profound intellectual legacy.

Born in 1912 in Wolsztyn, Poland, Wulf survived multiple Nazi concentration camps during World War II. After the war, he settled in Germany and devoted his life to researching and publishing detailed studies on the Holocaust and Nazi crimes. He co-edited a seminal collection of documents on Austrian foreign policy and campaigned for a national Holocaust memorial. Despite facing bureaucratic resistance, his meticulous scholarship laid the foundation for postwar genocide studies. Tragically, Wulf took his own life in 1974 after years of frustration. His work remains a cornerstone of Holocaust research.

Born in 1931 in London, Christopher Evans studied psychology at University College London and became a pioneer in cybernetics and computer science during the 1960s. He researched human-machine interactions and published influential books that explained emerging computing technologies to a broader audience. Evans was also an accomplished author of popular science and science fiction, blending technical insight with imaginative storytelling. His work helped shape early debates on artificial intelligence and cognitive science. He lectured at universities and consulted for leading technology companies. Evans passed away in 1979, leaving a legacy at the intersection of psychology and computing.