October 31

Initially a government official, Wang was exiled after a political dispute, where he refined his philosophical ideas. He developed the doctrine of xin (mind) that emphasized moral intuition over rigid ritual practices. His concept of the unity of knowledge and action challenged traditional learning methods. Later appointed to military command, he successfully quelled rebellions, demonstrating his theories in action. Wang’s writings, including the 'Instructions for Practical Living', influenced scholars across East Asia for centuries. He remains a central figure in Chinese intellectual history.

Count Anne Claude de Caylus was a leading figure in the French Enlightenment's nascent field of archaeology. He amassed an extensive collection of ancient artifacts and published detailed memoirs and dissertations on Greek and Roman art. His writings, including Recueil d'antiquités égyptiennes, étrusques, grecques et romaines, provided scholars with some of the first systematic studies of classical antiquity. A patron of artists and literati, he fostered intellectual exchange at his Paris salon and influenced neoclassical design. De Caylus's charming fables and literary works also earned him acclaim among contemporary authors. His interdisciplinary approach bridged art history, literature and archaeology, laying groundwork for modern classical studies.

Born in Bologna, Laura Bassi was a pioneering 18th-century scholar who excelled in medicine and natural philosophy. At age 20, she earned a doctorate and was appointed professor of anatomy and later physics at the University of Bologna, becoming one of Europe's first female professors. Bassi championed Newtonian mechanics in Italy through public lectures and scholarly debates. She led a scientific academy at her home, attracting leading intellectuals and mentoring young scientists. Despite social constraints on women, she maintained an active research program and published works on electricity and the science of motion. Her achievements broke barriers for women in academia and left a lasting impact on the development of modern science.

Karl Weierstrass was a German mathematician whose rigorous approach to analysis transformed the field. He formalized the epsilon-delta definition of limits and continuity, laying the groundwork for modern real analysis. Weierstrass made significant contributions to the theory of functions, elliptic functions, and complex analysis. His lectures and writings influenced generations of mathematicians across Europe. Despite early career challenges, he gained widespread recognition for his clarity and depth of exposition. Weierstrass's methods elevated mathematical rigor and continue to underpin both undergraduate and research-level analysis.

Paolo Mantegazza was an Italian physician, physiologist, and anthropologist whose interdisciplinary research shaped multiple sciences. He conducted groundbreaking studies on taste perception, temperature sensation, and the physiology of emotions. Mantegazza traveled extensively, collecting ethnographic data and examining cultural differences among populations. His work Antropologia contributed to early theories of human adaptation and evolution. A popular writer, he published accessible texts combining scientific rigor with vivid descriptions. Mantegazza also advocated for physical education and hygiene to improve public health. His legacy lies in bridging medical research with social anthropology and public outreach.

Krišjānis Barons was a Latvian folklorist, linguist, and publisher whose work preserved the nation's oral heritage. He is best known for his monumental collection of over 217,000 folk songs, or dainas, compiled into a multi-volume anthology. Barons established classification systems to organize and analyze folk traditions, pioneering methods in ethnography. He founded the Latvian Folklore Commission and edited the journal Latviešu tautasdziesmas. Through his efforts, Latvia's cultural identity was strengthened during periods of foreign rule. Barons's dedication ensured that folk songs remained a cornerstone of Latvian literature and national consciousness. His influence endures in contemporary folklore studies and cultural revival movements.

Johannes Adolf von Baeyer was a German chemist whose research laid foundations for modern organic chemistry. He synthesized indigo dye, revolutionizing the textile industry, and developed structural theories for aromatic compounds. Baeyer's work on strain theory in cyclic compounds advanced understanding of chemical bonding. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1905 for his contributions to the chemistry of organic dyes. As a professor at the University of Munich, he mentored many students and published extensive research. Baeyer also introduced systematic chemical nomenclature still in use today. His contributions had a lasting impact on industrial chemistry and pharmaceuticals.

Born in Livorno, Italy, in 1847, Ferraris studied at the Royal College of Engineering in Turin. In 1885, he independently discovered the rotating magnetic field, a principle at the heart of modern induction motors. His experimental approach combined precise measurement with theoretical insight, challenging existing theories of electromagnetism. Ferraris published his findings in 1888, influencing pioneers such as Nikola Tesla and Westinghouse. He taught at the Polytechnic University of Turin, inspiring generations of engineers with his lectures. After a career devoted to research and teaching, he died in 1897, leaving a lasting legacy in electrical engineering.

Abraham Wald was a mathematician and economist whose contributions to statistical decision theory and sequential analysis revolutionized applied mathematics. Born in 1902 in Cluj, he emigrated to the United States before World War II. During the war, his work on survivorship bias in aircraft damage assessment—known as the "Wald problem"—had a profound impact on military strategy. His book "Statistical Decision Functions" laid the foundation for modern statistical inference and risk analysis. Wald's research influenced fields from economics to operations research and data science. Tragically, he died in a plane crash in 1950, but his theories continue to be fundamental in statistics and beyond.

Born in Vancouver in 1917, William H. McNeill earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University. He joined the University of Chicago faculty in 1947, teaching world history for nearly four decades. His 1963 book "The Rise of the West" revolutionized the study of global history and earned a National Book Award. McNeill emphasized the interconnectedness of civilizations and the impact of cultural exchange. He wrote numerous works on disease, population, and the history of Europe and Asia. His scholarship bridged disciplines, influencing historians, anthropologists, and sociologists. McNeill continued writing and lecturing into his nineties, leaving a lasting legacy when he died in 2016.

Ian Stevenson was born in Montreal in 1918 and earned his medical degree from McGill University. He became a professor of psychiatry at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Stevenson is best known for his landmark studies of children claiming past life memories. He authored "Twenty Cases Suggestive of Reincarnation" and published over 200 papers. His rigorous case investigations took him to locations around the world. While controversial, his work opened scientific dialogue on consciousness and the afterlife. Stevenson's methodological approach influenced future paranormal research until his death in 2007.

Magnus Wenninger was born in 1919 and entered the Benedictine order, combining his spiritual vocation with academic pursuits. As a professor of mathematics at Saint John's University, he authored 'Polyhedron Models', a definitive guide for creating physical representations of geometric solids. Wenninger's work bridged mathematics and art, inspiring both hobbyists and educators. He published extensively on the history and construction of polyhedra, contributing to mathematical research and popular outreach. He continued his scholarly and monastic work until his death in 2017.