November 21

Born in 1490 in Glauchau, Saxony, he studied at Leipzig and the University of Bologna. Agricola served as a town physician before dedicating himself to mineralogy and philology. His landmark publication De re metallica (1556) systematically described mining practices, equipment, and ore processing. The work combined empirical observations with detailed illustrations, laying the foundation for modern metallurgy. He also authored books on minerals, Greek and Roman literature, and hydrology. Agricola died in 1555 in Chemnitz; his meticulous research earned him lasting acclaim in the history of science.

Jan Brożek (1585–1652) was a Polish polymath whose work spanned mathematics, medicine, and astronomy. He studied at the Kraków Academy and later became a professor of mathematics. His mathematical treatises explored number theory, geometry, and the properties of curves. As an astronomer, he conducted observations that refined calendars and celestial maps. In medicine, he served as a physician, publishing works on anatomy and clinical practice. Brożek's interdisciplinary scholarship laid foundations for scientific inquiry in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

John Hill (1719–1775) was an English botanist and author whose writings broadened public interest in plant science. Originally trained in medicine, he turned to systematic study of botany and horticulture. His multi-volume work The Vegetable System cataloged hundreds of plant species with detailed descriptions. Hill wrote popular essays and contributed articles to the early Encyclopædia Britannica. Known for his engaging style, he made scientific knowledge accessible to lay readers. Hill's publications influenced both botanical research and the rise of amateur gardening culture.

Jacques de Vaucanson (1709–1782) was a visionary French engineer and pioneer of automation. He studied at the École Royale du Génie before designing groundbreaking mechanical devices. His most famous automaton, the Flute Player, could mimic human gestures and play music. Vaucanson also developed one of the first fully automated looms, foreshadowing industrial machinery. He published works on hydraulics and mechanical principles, inspiring future inventors. Elected to the French Academy of Sciences, his innovations left a lasting mark on engineering.

Yoshida Shōin (1830–1859) was a Japanese educator and political activist of the late Edo period. He studied Confucian classics at the Shōka Sonjuku academy and advocated learning Western military tactics. Shōin mentored future Meiji leaders, inspiring figures like Itō Hirobumi and Yamagata Aritomo. He vehemently opposed the Tokugawa shogunate's isolationist policies and favored national reform. Attempts to overthrow shogunate rule led to his arrest and execution on November 21, 1859. His radical ideas and school profoundly influenced the Meiji Restoration and modern Japan.

Born in Miletín, Bohemia in 1811, Erben dedicated his life to collecting and preserving Czech folklore. His most famous work, "Kytice," is a cycle of ballads that blend poetry with folk traditions. He also authored historical studies that contributed to the Czech National Revival. Erben's writings inspired generations of writers and artists to explore national identity. He is remembered as a key figure in Czech literature and cultural history.

Born in Dresden in 1794, Boué conducted extensive geological surveys across the Balkans. He produced one of the first geological maps of the Ottoman Empire. As an ethnographer, he documented the customs and traditions of Balkan peoples. His work laid the foundation for modern geological and ethnographic research in Southeast Europe. Boué's interdisciplinary approach bridged natural science and cultural study.

Born in St. Petersburg in 1832, Schmidt studied the geological strata of the Russian Empire. He identified and described numerous fossil plant species from the Devonian and Carboniferous periods. His findings advanced the understanding of Paleozoic ecosystems. Schmidt's botanical collections enriched European herbaria and geological surveys. He held professorships and influenced the next generation of geologists and botanists.

Born in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, in 1868, Cabreira excelled in mathematics from an early age. He studied at the University of Coimbra and later taught geometry and astronomy. A prolific author, he published works on mathematics, philosophy, and the history of science. Cabreira co-founded the Portuguese Mathematical Society and promoted scientific education. He also engaged in political and social debates through his writings. He remained an influential figure in Portugal’s intellectual life until his death in 1953.

Robert Stroud was an American inmate born in 1890 who became a renowned ornithologist during his long incarceration. Initially convicted of manslaughter, he began studying birds at Leavenworth Prison and published groundbreaking research on avian diseases. His book “Diseases of Canaries” cemented his reputation in ornithology despite never keeping birds at Alcatraz. Stroud authored multiple books and articles, blending scientific inquiry with personal narrative. His life story inspired the film “Birdman of Alcatraz.” Stroud died in 1963, leaving a unique legacy at the intersection of crime and science.

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was an Indian physicist born in 1888, renowned for his discovery of the Raman effect. This groundbreaking observation of light scattering in liquids earned him the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics, making him the first Asian Nobel laureate in the sciences. Raman served as the first Indian director of the Indian Institute of Science and later founded the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore. His pioneering work advanced the study of molecular and atomic physics. Beyond research, Raman was a dedicated educator and advocate for scientific development in India. He passed away in 1970, leaving a lasting legacy in global physics.

Born in 1899 in Java, Dutch East Indies, Luyten developed an early passion for astronomy, earning his doctorate in the Netherlands before emigrating to the United States. He joined the University of Minnesota, where he spent much of his career studying stellar motions and compiling the Luyten Two-Tenths catalog of stars moving rapidly across the sky. His research led to the discovery of numerous nearby red dwarfs and white dwarfs, expanding understanding of the solar neighborhood. Luyten published influential papers and mentored generations of astronomers in observational techniques. He passed away in 1994, but his catalogs remain essential tools for astronomers worldwide.