November 07

Born in 994 in Córdoba, Ibn Hazm became one of the most prolific scholars of Al-Andalus. He championed the Zahiri school, advocating a literal interpretation of the Quran and Hadith. His legal treatise al-Muhalla and his philosophical writings shaped Islamic thought across North Africa and the Middle East. Drawing on his deep knowledge of poetry and rhetoric, he penned 'The Ring of the Dove', a timeless exploration of love and social customs. Despite periods of exile due to political turmoil, Ibn Hazm continued to teach and write until his death in 1069, leaving a lasting legacy in multiple disciplines.

William Stukeley studied medicine at Cambridge and practiced as a physician in Stamford and later in London. His fascination with ancient monuments led him to survey and record Stonehenge in 1721 and to produce detailed plans of Avebury in 1724. He published 'Itinerarium Curiosum', a comprehensive survey of Britain’s prehistoric sites. Elected to the Royal Society in 1729, he advised peers on preserving ancient monuments and popularized druidic theories of megalithic construction. Stukeley combined empirical observation with imaginative interpretation, blending scientific inquiry with mystical ideas. His detailed drawings remain invaluable records of these sites before later restorations. Stukeley’s pioneering work laid the foundations for modern archaeological methodology in Britain and influenced generations of antiquarians.

Born in Berlin, du Bois-Reymond studied medicine at the universities of Berlin and Göttingen, earning his doctorate in 1841. As professor of physiology at the University of Berlin, he conducted groundbreaking research on the electrical properties of nerves and muscles. His invention of the differential rheotome enabled precise measurement of nerve impulses, and his discovery of the action potential revolutionized bioelectricity research. Du Bois-Reymond published 'Investigations on Animal Electricity' and delivered influential lectures that spread electrophysiology across Europe. He served as president of the German Physiological Society and mentored future leaders in the field. A proponent of scientific materialism, he engaged in public debates on physiology and philosophy. His work continues to underpin modern neuroscience and biomedical engineering.

Andrew Dickson White was born in Homer, New York, and studied history at the University of Michigan and in Germany. In 1865, he co-founded Cornell University with Ezra Cornell and served as its first president, shaping its philosophy of combining practical and classical studies. A prolific writer, he published works on European history and international relations. He later represented the United States as minister to Germany and Russia, advocating for educational and cultural exchanges. His legacy includes the expansion of higher education and the promotion of academic freedom.

Born in Warsaw in 1867, Marie Curie moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne. She conducted groundbreaking research on radioactive elements, discovering polonium and radium. In 1903, she became the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize in Physics alongside her husband Pierre. She won a second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911, the only person to win in two scientific fields. Curie founded the Radium Institute in Paris, training a new generation of scientists. Her work laid the foundation for cancer therapy and advanced our understanding of atomic physics. Her dedication to science continued despite the challenges of being a female researcher in the early 20th century. She died in 1934 from aplastic anemia, attributed to her long-term radiation exposure.

Lise Meitner was born in Vienna in 1878 and became one of the first women to earn a doctorate in physics. She collaborated with chemist Otto Hahn for three decades, researching radioactive decay. In 1938, Meitner and her nephew Otto Frisch explained the process of nuclear fission. Her theoretical insights laid the groundwork for atomic energy and transformed modern physics. Despite her crucial contributions, she was overlooked for the Nobel Prize awarded to Hahn alone. After fleeing Nazi Germany, she continued her research in Sweden and mentored young scientists. Meitner’s ethical stance against the use of nuclear weapons earned her the title 'the mother of the atomic bomb.' She received numerous honors, including the Max Planck Medal, before passing away in 1968.

Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born in 1888 in Madras and studied physics at Presidency College. In 1928, he observed the scattering of light in liquids, now known as the Raman effect. For this groundbreaking discovery, Raman received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. He became the first Asian Nobel laureate in any branch of science. Raman founded the Indian Journal of Physics and the Raman Research Institute. His research spanned acoustics, optics, and molecular science, advancing multiple fields. Knighted by the British Empire in 1929, he played a key role in establishing scientific research in India. Raman’s work remains a cornerstone of spectroscopy and photonics.

Born in Sainte-Marie, Quebec, Esdras Minville was a professor at the Université de Montréal and a pioneer in social Catholic economic thought. He co-founded the École des hautes études commerciales (HEC Montréal) and shaped business education in Canada. Minville advocated for a balanced approach between industrial growth and social welfare, emphasizing community values. His writings on corporatism and social economy influenced policymakers during Quebec’s modernization in the mid-20th century. He remained active in cultural and educational organizations until his death in 1975.

Born in Salonica (now Thessaloniki), Raphaël Salem moved to France to pursue advanced studies in mathematics. He earned his doctorate under the supervision of Jacques Hadamard and became a professor at the University of Paris. Salem made significant contributions to trigonometric series, Fourier analysis, and potential theory. His legacy includes the establishment of the Salem Prize, awarded annually to young researchers in analysis. His research on Salem numbers and Salem sets continues to influence modern mathematical research.

Born in Vienna, Lorenz earned his doctorate in zoology in 1928 and co-founded the field of ethology. He conducted groundbreaking experiments on imprinting in greylag geese, demonstrating innate behavioral patterns. His popular works, including "King Solomon's Ring" and "On Aggression," brought animal behavior to a wider audience. In 1973, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Niko Tinbergen and Karl von Frisch. His research laid the foundation for modern behavioral biology despite controversies over his wartime affiliations.

Philip Morrison was born on November 7, 1915 in Massachusetts and earned his Ph.D. in physics at the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos as one of its youngest scientists, contributing to the development of the atomic bomb. After World War II, Morrison became a professor at MIT, conducting pioneering research in nuclear astrophysics and cosmic radiation. He advised early space missions and authored influential textbooks in physics. Morrison also hosted television programs like "The Ring of Truth" to make science accessible to the public. He received numerous awards for his research and science communication. He passed away in 2005, remembered as a passionate advocate for scientific literacy.

Born in 1920 in Wales, Elaine Morgan began her career writing screenplays and plays before turning to evolutionary anthropology. In her 1972 book "The Descent of Woman", she proposed the aquatic ape hypothesis, arguing that human ancestors underwent a semi-aquatic stage. Her bold ideas sparked debate among scientists and inspired further research into human evolution. Over her career, she published multiple books and articles exploring human origins and gender issues. Morgan's engaging writing style made complex scientific theories accessible to a broad audience. She received honorary degrees for her contributions to public understanding of science and continued writing until her death in 2013.