November 19

Lieuwe van Aitzema (1600–1669) was a Dutch nobleman who served as a diplomat and envoy for the province of Friesland. He gathered extensive knowledge of European affairs during missions to courts in France, England, and the Holy Roman Empire. Aitzema is most celebrated for his multi-volume history of the Thirty Years' War and the United Provinces. His work combined firsthand observations with diplomatic correspondence, offering one of the earliest comprehensive political histories. He published 'Saken van Staet in Oorlogh' which became a vital source for later historians. Aitzema's scholarship provided invaluable insights into 17th-century international relations.

Jean-Antoine Nollet (1700–1770) was ordained as a priest before devoting himself to physics and natural philosophy. He conducted groundbreaking experiments on atmospheric electricity and the behavior of electric sparks. In 1746, he invented the electroscope to detect electric charge and studied the properties of the Leyden jar. Nollet traveled across Europe demonstrating electrical phenomena to royal courts, spreading knowledge of electricity. He authored 'Leçons de physique expérimentale', which systematized experimental teaching for wider audiences. Nollet's public lectures and writings played a key role in popularizing Enlightenment science.

Mikhail Lomonosov (1711–1765) was a pioneering scientist, writer, and educator in Imperial Russia. He discovered the law of conservation of mass and established foundational principles of physical chemistry. As an astronomer, he improved telescope design and predicted the existence of an atmosphere on Venus. Lomonosov was also a poet and linguist who contributed to Russian literary reform and co-developed the modern Russian literary language. He founded Moscow State University in 1755, creating a center for scientific education and research. His interdisciplinary achievements earned him recognition as one of Russia's greatest scholars.

Leopold Auenbrugger (1722–1809) discovered that tapping on the chest could reveal underlying lung conditions. He published his findings in 1761 in 'Inventum Novum', which initially met skepticism from the medical community. Over time, his percussion method gained acceptance and became a fundamental tool in clinical medicine. Auenbrugger's work laid the groundwork for modern physical examination techniques, including auscultation. He served as court physician to the Habsburgs in Vienna, treating members of the imperial family. Today, chest percussion remains a standard diagnostic practice, honoring Auenbrugger's pioneering contribution.

Born in Versailles in 1805, Ferdinand de Lesseps began his career as a French diplomat before turning to large-scale engineering projects. He secured support from Egypt’s ruler to build the Suez Canal, completing the monumental waterway in 1869 and linking the Mediterranean and Red Seas. De Lesseps then founded the Panama Canal Company, although that venture ended in scandal and financial collapse. His vision for global trade routes transformed maritime commerce in the 19th century. De Lesseps received international honors for his achievements despite the later controversy. He continued to promote engineering projects until his death in 1894. His legacy endures in the vital waterways he engineered.

Born in Ljubljana in 1808, Janez Bleiweis studied medicine before returning home as a practicing physician. He founded and edited the newspaper ‘Kmetijske in rokodelske novice’ in 1843, the first Slovene-language periodical advocating cultural and political rights. Bleiweis emerged as a leading voice for the Slovenian national movement, promoting the use of the Slovene language in education and administration. He helped establish cultural societies that fostered literary and economic progress. Bleiweis also served in the Austrian Imperial Council, where he defended Slovene interests. His efforts laid the foundation for later achievements in Slovenian self-governance. He died in 1881, revered as the “Old Wise Man” of the Slovene nation.

Wilhelm Dilthey was born in 1833 in Germany and became a pioneering figure in the human sciences. He argued that the methods of natural sciences could not fully explain human experience and emphasized historical context in understanding social phenomena. Dilthey developed hermeneutics, the theory of interpretation, as a tool for humanities research. He wrote influential works on the philosophy of history, sociology, and psychology. His ideas laid the foundation for later thinkers such as Heidegger and Gadamer. Dilthey’s interdisciplinary approach helped to establish modern social sciences as distinct fields. He served as a professor at various universities and influenced generations of scholars. Dilthey died in 1911, leaving a lasting legacy in philosophy and social theory.

Born in 1834, Georg Hermann Quincke was a German physicist who made pioneering contributions to our understanding of surface tension and capillary action. He served as a professor at several universities, including the University of Heidelberg. Quincke’s experiments on liquid interfaces advanced the study of fluid mechanics and electromagnetic induction. He introduced methods for measuring viscosity and pressure in fluids and published numerous influential papers. Quincke was elected to various scientific academies and collaborated with leading scientists of his time. His work provided foundational insights for both theoretical and applied physics. He remained an active researcher throughout his life, shaping experimental techniques in physics. He passed away in 1924, leaving a legacy of meticulous scientific inquiry.

Agnes Giberne was born in 1845 in India to a British military family and later settled in England. Fascinated by the night sky, she pursued astronomy at a time when few women entered the sciences. Giberne wrote numerous books and articles aimed at making complex astronomical concepts accessible to children and general readers. Her works covered topics such as comets, the solar system, and star lore, blending scientific fact with engaging narrative. She was a member of the British Astronomical Association and corresponded with leading astronomers of her day. In addition to her scientific writings, Giberne authored novels and devotional works, showcasing her literary talents. Her contributions helped inspire a generation of amateur astronomers, particularly young women. She passed away in 1939, remembered for her dual legacy as an educator and writer.

Born in Moscow in 1876. She studied mathematics at the University of St. Petersburg and later moved to the Netherlands. Afanasyeva collaborated with Paul Ehrenfest and made pioneering contributions to the theory of Brownian motion. She authored influential texts on statistical mechanics and kinetic theory. Her work helped bridge theoretical physics and mathematics. Throughout her career, she taught at the University of Amsterdam and mentored future generations of scientists. She passed away in 1964, leaving a lasting legacy in mathematical physics.

James B. Sumner was born in 1887 in Canton, Massachusetts. He conducted groundbreaking research demonstrating that enzymes are proteins by successfully crystallizing the enzyme urease in 1926. This achievement challenged prevailing assumptions and opened new avenues in biochemistry. For this work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1946. Sumner’s research helped establish the field of enzymology and advanced our understanding of metabolic processes. He held professorships at Cornell University and the University of California. Sumner remained active in research until his death in 1955.

Born in Havana in 1888, José Raúl Capablanca demonstrated prodigious chess talent from a young age. He earned the title of World Chess Champion by defeating Emanuel Lasker in 1921. Capablanca was celebrated for his intuitive style, rapid play, and mastery of endgames. He remained undefeated in serious competition for eight years and influenced generations of players. After losing the title to Alexander Alekhine in 1927, he continued to compete and tour internationally. Capablanca authored influential books on chess strategy and tactics. He passed away in 1942, leaving a legacy as one of the greatest chess masters of all time.