November 12

Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651–1695) was a self-taught scholar, poet, and nun in colonial Mexico. Born in New Spain, she mastered Latin, philosophy, mathematics, and theology at a time when women's learning was discouraged. Her poetry, including 'First Dream', blends Baroque imagery with sharp critiques of social norms. As a Hieronymite nun, she defended intellectual rights in her famous 'Reply to Sor Philothea'. She maintained a vast library and performed scientific experiments, corresponding with European thinkers. Her life and works have made her an icon of feminist and literary studies in the Spanish-speaking world.

Charles Bell was a pioneering Scottish surgeon, anatomist, and accomplished illustrator. His detailed drawings in Illustrations of the Great Operations of Surgery revolutionized medical education. He discovered the difference between sensory and motor nerves, now known as Bell's law. As Regius Professor of Surgery at the University of Edinburgh, he trained future medical leaders. His study of facial paralysis led to the condition being named Bell's palsy. Bell's blend of surgical skill and artistic talent bridged medicine and art.

Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz was a Baltic German physician, naturalist, and explorer. He served as ship's surgeon on Russian Pacific expeditions led by Otto von Kotzebue. Eschscholtz collected thousands of plant and animal specimens, describing new species from the Pacific and Alaska. His botanical work 'Descriptiones plantarum novae' advanced early 19th-century taxonomy. He also made significant contributions to entomology, particularly beetles and butterflies. Several genera and species bear the name eschscholtzia in his honor.

Thaddeus William Harris was a leading American entomologist and botanist of the 19th century. As librarian of Harvard University and lecturer, he promoted entomology as an academic discipline. His works, including A Treatise on Some of the Insects of New England, detailed insect life cycles and plant hosts. He emphasized the economic importance of insects and methods for their control in agriculture. Harris founded the first U.S. journal on economic entomology, laying the groundwork for pest management. His meticulous observations and classification influenced generations of naturalists.

Alexander Borodin was born in 1833 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He was a leading composer of the Romantic era, known for works like the opera "Prince Igor" and the symphonic sequence "In the Steppes of Central Asia". Borodin was also a prominent chemist who conducted important research on aldehydes and proposed the Aldol reaction. He balanced his scientific career with his passion for music, teaching chemistry at the Imperial Medical-Surgical Academy. Although he published few musical works, his harmonic innovations influenced later composers. Borodin was a member of "The Mighty Handful", a group of Russian composers dedicated to creating a national musical identity. He died in 1887, leaving a legacy in both chemistry and music that continues to inspire.

John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh, was born in 1842 in Langford Grove, Essex, England. He made significant contributions to physics, including the discovery of the noble gas argon, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1904. Rayleigh formulated the Rayleigh scattering theory explaining why the sky is blue. He conducted pioneering work in acoustics, optics, and fluid dynamics. As a professor at the University of Cambridge and later president of the Royal Society, he influenced scientific research and education. Rayleigh's careful experimentation and theoretical insight left a lasting impact on modern physics. He died in 1919, remembered as one of Britain’s greatest scientists.

Günther Oskar Dyhrenfurth was born in 1886 in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland). He studied geology before turning to high-altitude mountaineering. Dyhrenfurth led the 1930 International Himalayan Expedition to Kangchenjunga. He and his team achieved new altitude records and conducted geological surveys. Dyhrenfurth published accounts of his explorations and contributed to Himalayan research. His work bridged scientific inquiry with the spirit of adventure in the early 20th century. He died in 1975 in Switzerland, leaving a dual legacy in science and mountaineering.

Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe was born in 1894 in Oslo and pioneered the study of animal behavior in natural settings. He is best known for discovering the 'pecking order' in domestic fowl, describing how social hierarchies form in groups. His work laid the foundation for modern ethology and comparative psychology. Schjelderup-Ebbe published his findings in the influential paper 'Social Order Among Birds' in 1921. He later conducted research on various species, combining observational studies with experimental methods. His contributions influenced scientists such as Konrad Lorenz and continue to shape behavioral research.

Marguerite Henry was born in 1895 in Australia and pursued a career in zoology during a time when female scientists were rare. She conducted field research on Australian marsupials, documenting their behavior and ecology. Henry published several papers on species such as the kangaroo and koala, contributing valuable data to conservation efforts. She collaborated with government agencies to promote wildlife preservation and habitat protection. Her work helped establish modern standards for field studies in zoology. She remained active in scientific circles until her death in 1982.

Salim Ali was born in 1896 in Bombay and became the first Indian to conduct systematic ornithological surveys across the subcontinent. He authored the bestselling 'Book of Indian Birds,' which popularized birdwatching in India and served as a field guide for decades. Ali collaborated with international scientists and helped establish the Bombay Natural History Society as a leading conservation organization. He played a key role in creating bird sanctuaries and advocating for wildlife protection laws. Over his career, he discovered several new species and trained generations of Indian ornithologists. He received the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan before his death in 1987.

Roland Barthes was a French literary theorist, philosopher, critic, and semiotician whose interdisciplinary work spanned linguistics, anthropology, and cultural studies. He rose to prominence with his book 'Mythologies', a collection of essays examining the myths embedded within everyday life. Barthes introduced key concepts such as the 'death of the author' and the studium versus punctum in photography, which have become foundational in post-structuralist thought. As a professor at the Collège de France, he influenced generations of scholars with his innovative approaches to textual analysis. His research challenged traditional boundaries between high and popular culture, turning the mundane into a subject of rigorous academic scrutiny. Barthes' legacy endures in the fields of literary criticism, film studies, and media theory, where his insights continue to inform contemporary debates. He remains celebrated for his lucid prose, intellectual curiosity, and ability to reveal the hidden codes of cultural phenomena.

Jean Papineau-Couture was a prominent Canadian composer and music professor who played a key role in 20th-century classical music in Canada. Born into a musical family, he studied in Paris and absorbed influences from modern European composers. His works often combined folkloric elements with avant-garde techniques, resulting in a distinctive personal style. As a professor at the Montreal Conservatory and later at the University of Montreal, he mentored a generation of Canadian composers and performers. Papineau-Couture also served as an administrator, shaping music education policies nationwide. His extensive catalog includes orchestral, chamber, and choral pieces that remain staples of Canadian repertoire. He received numerous awards, including the Order of Canada, for his contributions to music and academia.