November 22

Johann Christian Reil was born in Rhauderfehn, Germany, in 1759 and became one of the leading medical minds of his era. He studied at Göttingen, where he developed a deep interest in anatomy and physiology. In 1808, he introduced the term 'psychiatry' in his influential book Medical Psychology, helping to shape the future of mental health care. Reil conducted groundbreaking research on the structure of the brain, earning him recognition as a pioneer in neuroanatomy. His work highlighted the importance of combining clinical observation with experimental methods. As a professor at Halle and Berlin, he mentored a generation of physicians and advanced modern teaching techniques. Reil's emphasis on the scientific basis of medicine influenced the development of hospitals and medical schools in Germany. He passed away in 1813, leaving a legacy as a founder of modern clinical and mental health sciences.

John Stackhouse was born in Probus, Cornwall, in 1742 into a family of landowners. Fascinated by the natural world, he devoted his life to the study of plants and fungi. He published the landmark Historia Fucorum in 1797, one of the first systematic works on seaweed classification. Stackhouse's detailed illustrations and observations helped advance the scientific understanding of marine algae. His later works expanded to cover flowering plants, leading to the multivolume Description of the terrestrial and aquatic plants of Great Britain. An avid collector, he assembled extensive herbarium specimens now housed in botanical institutions. Through correspondence with leading scientists of his time, Stackhouse played a key role in disseminating botanical knowledge across Europe. He died in 1819, leaving behind influential publications that continued to guide botanists for decades.

George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. was born in 1859 in Pittsburgh and educated at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. As a civil engineer, he sought to rival the Eiffel Tower when he designed the Ferris Wheel for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. Standing 264 feet tall, Ferris's rotating wheel amazed millions of fairgoers and became an icon of American ingenuity. He oversaw the construction using innovative steel-manufacturing techniques and advanced structural analysis. Though the original wheel was dismantled after the fair, Ferris's invention set the standard for amusement rides worldwide. Beyond the wheel, he contributed to railroad bridge design and mining engineering projects. Ferris faced financial and health challenges later in life and died in 1896 at the age of 36. Today, Ferris is celebrated for his daring engineering vision that transformed public entertainment.

Walter Reed was born in 1851 in Virginia and graduated in medicine from the University of Virginia before entering the U.S. Army Medical Corps. As head of the Yellow Fever Commission in Cuba, he led critical experiments in 1900 that confirmed the role of Aedes mosquitoes in transmitting yellow fever. Reed's methodical approach and ethical standards advanced human experimentation protocols. His findings revolutionized tropical medicine and led to effective control measures that saved countless lives during the Panama Canal construction. Reed also contributed to military medical practices, improving sanitation and preventive strategies. He received widespread recognition for his work before his untimely death from appendicitis complications in 1902. Reed's legacy endures in public health and epidemiology, where mosquito control remains central to preventing disease. His name graces medical centers and research institutes dedicated to tropical medicine.

Sir Arthur Eddington was born in 1882 in Kendal, England and became a pioneering astrophysicist and astronomer. He led the famed 1919 solar eclipse expedition that provided critical evidence for Einstein’s general theory of relativity, catapulting both scientists to international fame. Eddington also formulated the concept of the 'Eddington limit', which describes the maximum luminosity a star can achieve before losing mass. A gifted communicator, he authored popular science books that made complex ideas accessible to the public. His work laid the foundation for modern stellar astrophysics. Eddington died in 1944, leaving a legacy of scientific discovery and public engagement.

Born in 1900 in Germany, Hans Adolf Krebs studied medicine and shifted focus to biochemical research. He discovered the citric acid cycle (now called the Krebs cycle), revealing fundamental steps of cellular respiration. This breakthrough transformed our understanding of metabolism and energy production in cells. In 1953, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his pioneering work. Krebs continued his research at the University of Sheffield, mentoring future scientists. He passed away in 1981, leaving a profound legacy in the life sciences.

Theo Barker (1923–2001) was an English historian and academic specializing in social and economic history. He held positions at several British universities, influencing a generation of scholars. Barker authored influential books on industrialization and rural society in modern Britain. His work explored the effects of economic change on community structures and living standards. He contributed as an editor and organizer of historical conferences, shaping scholarly discourse. Barker's research remains a cornerstone in understanding Britain's industrial and social transformation.

Asima Chatterjee (1917–2006) was an Indian organic chemist whose research advanced the fields of phytochemistry and medicinal chemistry. She was the first woman to earn a Doctorate of Science from an Indian university, completing her PhD at Calcutta University. Chatterjee's work led to the development of anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs derived from plant alkaloids. She served as a professor and Head of the Department of Chemistry at University of Calcutta, mentoring many students. Chatterjee received prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan, for her contributions to science and education. Her legacy endures through her groundbreaking research and advocacy for women in STEM.

Frank Fenner (1914–2010) was a distinguished Australian virologist and microbiologist. He played a central role in the global eradication of smallpox as Chair of the World Health Organization's certification commission in 1979. Earlier, he conducted pioneering research on the myxoma virus to control rabbit populations in Australia. Fenner served as Professor of Microbiology at the Australian National University and mentored generations of scientists. He published over 300 papers and received numerous honors, including the Copley Medal, for his contributions to virology and environmental health.

Lynn Margulis (1938–2011) was an influential American evolutionary biologist. She formulated and championed the endosymbiotic theory, proposing that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as symbiotic bacteria. Margulis's work challenged conventional ideas about the evolution of complex cells and reshaped evolutionary biology. She was a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and authored foundational texts, including Symbiosis in Cell Evolution. Throughout her career, she received honors such as the National Medal of Science for her groundbreaking research.

Otto Hutter was born in Vienna in 1924 and emigrated to Britain in 1939 to escape Nazi persecution. He studied under Nobel laureate Archibald Hill at University College London, earning his Ph.D. in 1949. Hutter’s groundbreaking work explored the biophysics of cardiac muscle, particularly the role of ion channels in generating electrical impulses. His research on the sinoatrial node deepened scientific understanding of heart rate regulation and arrhythmias. Over his career, he published more than 200 scientific papers and mentored many students who became leaders in physiology. He served as Professor of Physiology at UCL and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1978. Hutter continued his scholarly contributions as an emeritus professor until his death in 2020, leaving a lasting impact on cardiovascular science.