November 25

Jean-François Séguier pursued studies in natural history, producing important botanical works such as the 'Plantae Veronenses' documenting regional flora. Elected to the Académie des Sciences, he conducted systematic observations of plants and celestial phenomena, bridging two scientific fields. He traveled extensively across Provence and Italy, collecting specimens and publishing detailed catalogues. Séguier’s interdisciplinary approach helped lay foundations for modern taxonomy and astronomical recording, earning him recognition among Europe’s leading Enlightenment scientists.

Julius Robert von Mayer formulated one of the first statements of the conservation of energy, introducing the concept that heat and work are interchangeable forms of energy. Initially trained as a physician, he observed physiological heat production and proposed the mechanical equivalent of heat. Mayer’s ideas, published in 1842, faced skepticism but later influenced scientists like Joule and Helmholtz. Despite financial and professional struggles, his work laid groundwork for the first law of thermodynamics.

Ernst Schröder (1841–1902) was a German mathematician and logician who made significant contributions to algebra and the development of formal logic. His multi-volume work 'Vorlesungen über die Algebra der Logik' laid the groundwork for modern Boolean algebra and universal algebra. Schröder introduced key concepts in lattice theory and studied the algebraic structures underlying logical operations. He held academic positions at several German universities and influenced later logicians such as Alfred North Whitehead. His research helped bridge the gap between algebra and logic, shaping the course of mathematical logic in the late 19th century.

Kate Gleason (November 25, 1865 – June 28, 1933) was an American mechanical engineer and business leader. She became the first woman elected to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and played a pivotal role in her family’s gear manufacturing firm, Gleason Works. Under her leadership, the company introduced groundbreaking gear-cutting and inspection machines that transformed industrial production. Gleason advocated for professional opportunities for women in engineering and supported technical education programs. She donated generously to institutions in Rochester and at Cornell University, establishing scholarships and funding campus buildings. Her legacy endures through the scholarships and educational initiatives that continue to empower future engineers.

Talaat Harb Pasha (November 25, 1867 – December 21, 1941) was an Egyptian economist, banker, and visionary entrepreneur. He established Banque Misr in 1920 as the first nationally owned Egyptian bank, aiming to free Egypt from foreign financial control. Harb spearheaded a nationwide industrialization campaign, founding companies in textiles, sugar, and cement that diversified the economy. He championed cultural development, sponsoring the Cairo Opera and supporting archaeological research. Under his guidance, Banque Misr expanded throughout the Middle East, solidifying its position as a premier regional institution. Harb’s work laid the foundation for modern Egypt’s financial and industrial sectors, earning him the title “Father of Egyptian National Economy.”

Vavilov traveled to over 60 countries to collect plant samples and build a vast seed bank. He formulated the law of homologous series in variation, linking genetics and evolution. As director of the Institute of Plant Industry in Leningrad, he championed science-based crop improvement. Despite his achievements, he was arrested in 1940 during Stalin's purges and died in prison. His collections survived and later formed the foundation of modern biodiversity conservation. Vavilov's work remains vital to food security and genetic research worldwide.

Born in Pittsburgh, Ambrose studied at Bryn Mawr and Radcliffe College, where she earned her Ph.D. She worked closely with Ludwig Wittgenstein during his time at Cambridge, translating and analyzing his work. At Smith College and Harvard University, she taught courses in philosophy of language and symbolic logic. She co-authored 'Fundamentals of Symbolic Logic' and other influential textbooks that shaped mid-20th century logic education. Her contributions helped bridge analytic philosophy and formal logic until her death in 2001.

Lewis Thomas was an influential American physician and educator who brought scientific ideas to a broad audience through his vivid writings. After earning his medical degree, he conducted groundbreaking research in immunology and rheumatology. He served as president of the Sloan-Kettering Institute and later taught at Princeton University, shaping future generations of scientists. His award-winning essay collection 'The Lives of a Cell' popularized complex biological concepts with poetic clarity. Thomas received prestigious honors for both his scientific achievements and literary contributions. He inspired a deeper public appreciation for the interconnectedness of life before passing away in 1993.

Robert Berner developed influential models of the global carbon cycle that advanced our understanding of climate change. Born in 1935, he taught geology at Yale University for over four decades. His research on ocean chemistry and paleoclimate reconstruction has been cited extensively by scientists worldwide. Berner authored more than 200 scientific papers and co-authored seminal textbooks in geochemistry. He received prestigious awards, including the Wollaston Medal, for his contributions to earth sciences. Berner passed away in 2015, leaving a profound impact on environmental science and policy.

Erol Güngör was a pioneering Turkish sociologist and psychologist who studied the interplay between tradition and modernity in post-war Turkey. He earned his doctorate in psychology and served as a professor at Ankara University. Güngör conducted extensive fieldwork on social norms, cultural identity, and moral values. His publications influenced Turkish educational policy and cultural institutions. He led academic commissions and advised government bodies on social issues. His work helped shape the understanding of Turkish social dynamics during a period of rapid change. He remained active in academia until his untimely death in 1983.

Martin Feldstein was a leading American economist born in New York City who served as the George F. Baker Professor of Economics at Harvard University. He earned his Ph.D. at Harvard and became known for his work on public finance and social insurance. Under President Ronald Reagan, he served as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers from 1982 to 1984. Feldstein also led the National Bureau of Economic Research for more than three decades, influencing economic research worldwide. He founded the Journal of Economic Perspectives to bridge academic and policy debates. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he advised multiple administrations on tax reform and retirement policy. His legacy includes substantial contributions to economic thought and policymaking until his death in 2019.

Reinhard Furrer was an accomplished physicist born in Stuttgart who earned his doctorate at the University of Freiburg. Selected by the European Space Agency in 1978, he trained as a payload specialist for NASA. In 1985, he flew aboard Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-61-A, conducting experiments in material science and life sciences under microgravity. He logged over 168 hours in space and contributed to international space research collaboration. After his mission, he became a professor of aviation systems at the Technical University of Berlin. Furrer remained active in aerospace education until his untimely death in a gliding accident near Munich in 1995.