November 09

A graduate of the University of Leiden, he practiced medicine in the Dutch Republic. Narssius published collections of Latin poetry that contributed to the Neo-Latin literary movement. He balanced his medical career with scholarly pursuits, corresponding with European intellectuals. His verse often explored themes of nature, philosophy, and human experience. He died in 1637, remembered for merging scientific insight with poetic expression.

Born in 1731 in Maryland, Banneker overcame barriers to educate himself in astronomy and mathematics. He published a series of influential almanacs between 1792 and 1797 that included astronomical calculations and social commentary. In 1791 he was appointed by Thomas Jefferson to assist in surveying the federal district that became Washington, D.C. Banneker corresponded with Jefferson on issues of race and equality, challenging prevailing attitudes of his time. His work demonstrated exceptional scientific skill and contributed to early American scientific publication. He died in 1806 and remains a symbol of African American intellectual achievement.

Bernhard von Langenbeck was born in 1810 and studied medicine at the University of Kiel. He became a leading surgeon and professor at the University of Berlin, where he introduced innovative surgical techniques and instruments. As chief surgeon of the Prussian army, he organized field hospitals and improved medical care during the First Schleswig War, Austro-Prussian War, and Franco-Prussian War. His emphasis on systematic medical training and antiseptic principles influenced generations of surgeons, including Joseph Lister. Langenbeck's contributions earned him the reputation of a founder of modern military surgery before his death in 1887.

Louis Lewin was a German pharmacologist and toxicologist celebrated for his research on psychoactive substances. He studied medicine at the University of Berlin and later became a professor of pharmacology. Lewin conducted extensive investigations into plant alkaloids, including cocaine, caffeine, and nicotine. In 1924, he published Phantastica, the first systematic classification of psychoactive drugs. His work laid the foundation for modern psychopharmacology and influenced drug legislation. Lewin also contributed to forensic toxicology, authoring key texts on poisons and their effects. He died in Berlin in 1929, leaving a lasting legacy in pharmacological science.

Florence R. Sabin was an American medical scientist and pathologist who made pioneering contributions to immunology and anatomy. Born in Colorado in 1871, she graduated from Smith College before earning her medical degree at Johns Hopkins in 1900. Sabin became the first woman to hold a full professorship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1917. Her research on the lymphatic system and the immune response advanced understanding of tuberculosis. During her career, she published numerous papers on embryology, cancer, and vascular anatomy. After retiring, Sabin led public health reforms in Colorado, improving sanitation and healthcare. She was the first woman elected to the National Academy of Sciences and died in 1953.

Otfrid Foerster was a leading figure in early neurology and neurosurgery. He developed innovative techniques for brain and spinal cord surgery, reducing risks and improving patient outcomes. His research on spinal reflexes and the cortical localization of motor functions laid groundwork for modern neurosurgical practices. Collaborating with colleagues like Wilder Penfield, he created detailed maps of the cerebral cortex. Foerster's work earned him international recognition, and he trained many future neurosurgeons. Beyond surgery, he contributed extensively to neurological research and education until his death in 1941.

Albert Francis Blakeslee was a prominent botanist known for his groundbreaking work on the genetics of the jimsonweed (Datura) plant. As a professor and director of botanical gardens, he advanced understanding of chromosome behavior and mutation. His meticulous experiments revealed fundamental mechanisms of heredity in plants. Blakeslee's leadership at institutions like Smith College fostered a generation of botanists and geneticists. He published extensively on cytogenetics, leaving a lasting legacy in plant science before his death in 1954.

Milan Šufflay was a distinguished scholar of medieval Croatian and Albanian history. As a professor, he published pioneering research on early Balkan cultures and languages. Beyond academia, he advocated for Croatian national rights under the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Victim of political repression, he was assassinated in 1931, becoming a symbol of intellectual resistance. His historical works remain valuable resources for scholars of Southeast European history.

Theodor Kaluza introduced a groundbreaking theory adding a fifth dimension to Einstein's general relativity. His 1921 paper suggested that electromagnetism and gravity could be described within the same geometrical framework. Though initially overlooked, the Kaluza-Klein theory became a foundation for later developments in theoretical physics. Kaluza's idea influenced the evolution of unified field theories and string theory research. He remained academically active in Germany until his death in 1954, leaving a profound scientific legacy.

Hermann Weyl made foundational contributions to mathematics, physics, and philosophy. He introduced the concept of the Weyl group in representation theory. Weyl's work on gauge theories laid groundwork for modern theoretical physics. He advanced the mathematical formulation of general relativity. His book 'Philosophy of Mathematics and Natural Science' explored the relationship between mathematics and reality. Weyl held positions at Göttingen, ETH Zurich, and the Institute for Advanced Study. He influenced fields ranging from harmonic analysis to quantum mechanics. He passed away in 1955, remembered as one of the 20th century's great scientific thinkers.

Louisa E. Rhine began her career as a botanist before dedicating herself to parapsychology. She joined the Duke University Parapsychology Laboratory in the 1930s. Rhine developed rigorous survey methods for studying extrasensory perception (ESP). Her books 'Hidden Channels of the Mind' and 'Extrasensory Perception After Sixty Years' are seminal works. She compiled extensive case studies documenting telepathy, clairvoyance, and psychokinesis. Rhine's work brought scientific credibility to parapsychology. She continued research and teaching well into her eighties. She died in 1983, leaving a substantial legacy in both botany and the study of the paranormal.

Ronald G.W. Norrish was a leading figure in physical chemistry. He developed the flash photolysis technique to study rapid chemical reactions. His work on the mechanisms of photochemical processes earned him the Nobel Prize in 1967, shared with George Porter and Manfred Eigen. He served as Professor of Physical Chemistry at Cambridge University. Norrish published extensively on reaction kinetics and catalysis. He mentored a generation of chemists who advanced modern chemical research. He passed away in 1978, leaving a lasting impact on photochemistry.