October 28

Born into the aristocratic Fujiwara family in 1155, Jien became a Tendai Buddhist monk on Mount Hiei and rose to prominence as a court historian and poet. He authored the Gukanshō, a foundational historical work reflecting on the cyclical nature of dynasties through a Buddhist lens. Jien also contributed waka poetry to imperial anthologies, showcasing his literary skill. As abbot of key monasteries, he influenced both religious thought and political affairs during the transition from Heian to Kamakura rule. His blended legacy of scholarship and spirituality continues to inform studies of medieval Japanese history and literature.

John Wallis was born in Ashford, Kent in 1616 and became one of the foremost mathematicians of the 17th century. He served as Savilian Professor of Geometry at Oxford University from 1649 until his death. Wallis made pioneering contributions to infinite series and early calculus, including the famous Wallis product for π. He also assisted the Parliamentarian cause in the English Civil War by deciphering coded messages. His work influenced later scientists like Isaac Newton and helped shape the development of modern analysis. He died in 1703, leaving a profound mathematical legacy.

Born in Jever in 1710, Möhring studied medicine at the University of Halle. He combined clinical practice with natural history, publishing works on plant and animal classification. His 'Avium Genera' and 'Vegetabilia Genera' offered systematic approaches to bird and plant taxonomy. Möhring's research contributed to the early development of Linnaean classification principles. He also authored medical treatises on common diseases and preventive healthcare. He died in 1792, remembered for bridging medicine and natural science in the Enlightenment era.

John Smeaton (1724–1792) was a pioneering English civil engineer credited with establishing engineering as a profession. He designed notable structures including the Coldstream Bridge over the River Tweed and the Perth Bridge in Scotland. Smeaton's innovative use of hydraulic lime cement led to more durable harbor piers and canals. He founded the Society of Civil Engineers in 1771, later known as the Smeatonian Society. His work on lighthouse construction, particularly the Eddystone Lighthouse, showcased his expertise. Smeaton's contributions influenced countless engineers and laid the groundwork for modern structural engineering.

Johan August Arfwedson (1792–1841) identified lithium in 1817 while analyzing petalite ore from Utö, Sweden. As an academic at Stockholm University, he refined techniques in quantitative analysis and chemical separation. Arfwedson's discovery of lithium expanded understanding of alkali metals and paved the way for future battery research. He collaborated with fellow scientists Jöns Jakob Berzelius and Axel Fredrik Cronstedt on mineralogical studies. Arfwedson also taught chemistry to students, influencing the next generation of Swedish chemists. His work remains foundational in inorganic chemistry and materials science.

Robert Swinhoe (1835–1877) served as a British consul in China and Taiwan while documenting local wildlife. He collected and described numerous new species of birds, contributing over 600 specimens to European museums. Swinhoe co-authored works on Chinese ornithology and published detailed narratives of his field expeditions. His entomological studies also identified many insect species previously unknown to Western science. Swinhoe's observations laid the groundwork for future zoological research in East Asia. He is remembered as a dedicated explorer whose passion for nature enriched both ornithology and entomology.

Marie Roch Louis Reybaud (1799–1879) made significant contributions to early political economy with his analyses of industrial society. He served as a member of the National Assembly, advocating economic reforms to support France's industrial growth. Reybaud's publications explored the effects of wealth distribution and labor conditions during the Industrial Revolution. As a politician, he sought to balance free markets with social welfare policies for the working class. His writings influenced contemporaries and helped shape economic discourse in mid-19th century France. Reybaud's dual career bridged academic theory and practical governance during a transformative period.

Ottmar Mergenthaler (1854–1899) developed the Linotype machine, automating the typesetting process for newspapers and books. Born in Germany, he moved to Baltimore, where he perfected his design and founded the Mergenthaler Linotype Company. His invention drastically reduced the time and cost of printing, fueling the growth of mass media. Mergenthaler's Linotype became an industry standard for over a century, shaping global communications. He held over 70 patents and continued refining printing technology until his untimely death. His legacy endures in modern publishing and digital typography inspired by his groundbreaking work.

Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) was a German-born philologist who became a leading scholar of Sanskrit and Vedic studies. He taught at Oxford University, where he promoted the comparative study of religion and ancient texts. Müller edited the monumental 50-volume 'Sacred Books of the East', making Eastern literature accessible to Western audiences. His work laid the foundations for modern comparative religion and influenced scholars across disciplines. Müller's writings on myth, language, and culture bridged European and Asian intellectual traditions. He remains celebrated for his erudition and efforts to foster cross-cultural understanding.

Born in New York City in 1838, Cleveland Abbe earned his Ph.D. before studying in Europe. As director of the U.S. Weather Bureau, he established the first nationwide weather forecast and standardized meteorological data collection. Abbe introduced time-zone systems in the United States and championed scientific methods in weather prediction. His work laid the foundation for modern meteorology and public weather services. He also taught at Johns Hopkins University and mentored a generation of atmospheric scientists.

Born in Pisa in 1845, Ulisse Dini made significant contributions to real analysis, including the development of Dini’s theorem and studies on function convergence. He held professorships at the universities of Pisa and Bologna, mentoring many students and publishing influential textbooks. In addition to his academic career, Dini served as a deputy and later a senator in the Italian Parliament, where he advocated for educational reforms. His work bridged the gap between pure mathematics and public service. Dini passed away in 1918, leaving a dual legacy in science and politics.

Ernst Gräfenberg was a German-Jewish physician who made groundbreaking contributions to obstetrics and gynecology. In the 1920s and 1930s, he conducted pioneering research on the physiology of female sexual response. He emigrated to the United States in 1937 to escape Nazi persecution and continued his clinical work in New York. Gräfenberg introduced early intrauterine devices and improved surgical techniques. His 1950 paper described the erogenous zone now known as the G-spot, cementing his medical legacy. He passed away in 1957, leaving an enduring impact on women’s health.