November 24

Born in Baltimore in 1921, Rawls earned degrees at Princeton and Oxford before serving in the US Army during World War II. As a professor at Harvard, he published A Theory of Justice in 1971, introducing the concepts of the original position and the veil of ignorance. His work argued for a fair distribution of social goods and reshaped debates in ethics, economics, and law. Later publications, such as Political Liberalism and The Law of Peoples, extended his ideas to pluralistic societies and international relations. Rawls received numerous honors, including the National Humanities Medal. He passed away in 2002, leaving a profound influence on contemporary philosophy and political thought.

John Forrester (1949–2015) was a leading English historian and philosopher of science. He served as Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, where he inspired generations of students. His research explored the origins and development of psychoanalytic thought, examining figures such as Freud and Charcot. Forrester authored numerous acclaimed works, including 'Language and the Origins of Psychoanalysis' and 'Dispatches from the Freud Wars.' He was celebrated for his interdisciplinary approach, bridging the gap between historical scholarship and philosophical inquiry. Forrester also contributed to medical humanities, shedding new light on the cultural impact of scientific ideas. His engaging lectures and writings made complex concepts accessible to a wider audience.