November 24

Étienne Baluze (1630–1718) was a French scholar specializing in legal and ecclesiastical history. He was librarian to Jean-Baptiste Colbert and later keeper of the royal archives. Baluze published critical editions of medieval documents and genealogical records, contributing to the preservation of France's historical sources. His meticulous research methods influenced modern archival science and historiography. He is remembered as one of the leading scholars of his time.

Thomas Dick (1774–1857) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister renowned for his passionate advocacy of astronomy and natural philosophy. Serving as minister in Dundee, he combined his religious duties with a deep interest in science. His bestselling works, such as 'The Christian Philosopher' and 'The Sidereal Heavens', presented complex astronomical concepts in an engaging manner for general readers. Dick believed that the study of the heavens enhanced spiritual understanding and moral improvement. He also contributed to public education through lectures and support for schools. His legacy endures in the continued appreciation of science outreach and the dialogue between faith and reason.

Xavier Hommaire de Hell (1812–1848) was a French geographer, engineer, and adventurer celebrated for his extensive exploratory surveys in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. After training at the École des Mines in Paris, he joined expeditions to the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea region, producing valuable geological and mineralogical reports. From 1844 to 1848, Hommaire de Hell traveled through Persia and the Ottoman Empire, mapping previously uncharted territories and studying local industries. His meticulous observations contributed significantly to the fields of geography and engineering. Tragically, he died of fever in Tehran before completing his intended research. His published accounts posthumously informed European understanding of these remote regions.

John Alfred Brashear (1840–1920) was an American astronomer, optician, and inventor who founded one of the leading telescope manufacturing firms of his time. Born in Pennsylvania, he overcame humble beginnings to master the art of grinding and polishing large telescope mirrors. Under his leadership, the Brashear Company produced optics for observatories worldwide and pioneered innovations in spectroscopic and astrophotographic equipment. Brashear also served as an educator and mentor, sharing his expertise with scientific societies and universities. His contributions significantly advanced the study of astronomy and optical engineering in the United States. Today, many of his instruments are still valued by astronomers and collectors alike.

Yitzhak Ben-Zvi was born in 1884 in the Russian Empire and emigrated to Ottoman Palestine in 1907. He became a leading Zionist activist and co-founder of the Hashomer defense organization. Ben-Zvi conducted pioneering research on Jewish communities in the Middle East, publishing influential studies on their history and traditions. Elected as Israel's second president in 1952, he worked to promote social unity and preserve cultural heritage. He served until his death in 1963, leaving a legacy as both a statesman and scholar.

Fredrick Willius was born in 1888 and became a prominent American cardiologist, contributing significantly to the understanding of cardiac disorders. He served on the faculty of Columbia University, where he taught and conducted research in electrocardiography and heart disease. Willius authored influential medical texts and papers that helped standardize diagnostic techniques for cardiovascular conditions. His work laid the groundwork for modern cardiac care and earned him a reputation as a leading expert of his era. Throughout his career, he mentored numerous physicians and advanced the clinical practice of cardiology. He continued writing and consulting until his death in 1972.

Esther Applin was born in 1895 and became a trailblazer in micropaleontology, demonstrating that tiny fossil shells could identify oil-bearing rock layers. Working for the U.S. Geological Survey, she published groundbreaking research in the 1920s that revolutionized petroleum exploration methods. Applin’s insights enabled more accurate drilling decisions and boosted industry efficiency. She later worked in private industry, consulting for major oil companies around the world. Applin also lectured widely, advocating for women in science. She remained an active researcher until her death in 1972.

Bessie Blount Griffin (1914–2009) was an American physical therapist, inventor, and forensic scientist who made groundbreaking contributions to rehabilitation medicine. During World War II, she developed a feeding tube that enabled paralyzed veterans to feed themselves, earning a patent in 1951. Though initially overlooked by U.S. authorities, her device was adopted by French hospitals. Later in her career, she became a pioneering forensic document examiner specializing in handwriting analysis. Griffin served as a consultant to federal agencies and contributed to high-profile legal cases. Her innovative inventions and scientific expertise broke barriers for women of color in science and technology.

Shabtai Rosenne (1917–2010) was an English-born Israeli academic, jurist, and diplomat renowned for his expertise in international law. He served as legal adviser to the Israeli Foreign Ministry and represented Israel at the International Court of Justice. Rosenne was instrumental in drafting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and later chaired the International Law Commission. As a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he educated generations of legal scholars. He authored seminal works on maritime disputes and arbitration that remain authoritative references. Rosenne's diplomatic and scholarly efforts left a lasting impact on global legal frameworks.

Claus Moser, Baron Moser (1922–2015), was a German-English statistician and academic administrator who made significant contributions to social and economic data analysis. After fleeing Nazi Germany, he joined the British Civil Service as chief statistician and later became Professor of Government at the University of Birmingham. Moser served as President of the Royal Statistical Society and helped modernize statistical practices within government agencies. He held leadership roles at the London School of Economics and the University of London, and served as Chancellor of Keele University for nearly two decades. In 2001, he was elevated to the peerage for his services to statistics and education. His scholarship and guidance shaped 20th-century British statistical research and policy.

Born in The Hague in 1925, van der Meer studied electrical engineering at Delft University of Technology. In 1956, he joined CERN and developed the technique of stochastic cooling for particle beams. This innovation was crucial to the discovery of the W and Z bosons in high-energy collisions. In 1984, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with Carlo Rubbia for these contributions. Known for his practical engineering skills, he designed precise instrumentation for accelerator experiments. He authored numerous technical papers and held several patents in beam technology. Van der Meer's modest demeanor belied the profound impact of his work on modern particle physics.

Born in Shanghai in 1926, Lee studied physics at National Southwestern Associated University and the University of Chicago. In 1956, he and C. N. Yang proposed that parity is not conserved in weak interactions, transforming fundamental physics. They were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1957 for this groundbreaking work. Lee joined the faculty at Columbia University, where he conducted research in particle physics and quantum field theory. He co-founded the Institute of Physics at Academia Sinica in Taiwan to advance scientific research. His later work covered particle theory, astrophysics, and lattice gauge theories. Over his career, he received numerous honors, including the U.S. National Medal of Science. Lee's mentorship shaped generations of physicists across the world.