November 26

Born around 1540, Ralph Agas became one of England’s earliest professional mapmakers, producing some of the first large-scale survey maps of counties such as Oxfordshire and Nottinghamshire. His work combined precise land measurements with artistic illustration, setting a new standard for map accuracy. Agas’s surveys supported landowners and courts in resolving boundary disputes. Though few of his original maps survive, his techniques influenced generations of English surveyors. He also wrote on agricultural improvements and town planning, reflecting the era’s growing interest in systematic observation and documentation.

Educated at the University of Paris, John Spottiswoode returned to Scotland to rise within the Presbyterian Church, eventually becoming Archbishop of St Andrews. He served as a key advisor to King James VI and navigated the complex religious politics of the Union of the Crowns. His principal work, The History of the Church and State of Scotland, remains a significant source for understanding early modern Scottish history. Spottiswoode was noted for balancing loyalty to the monarchy with commitments to ecclesiastical independence. His writings and leadership during a period of religious reform solidified his reputation as both a churchman and a scholar.

Marquard Gude (1635–1689) was a German scholar and antiquarian celebrated for his pioneering work in epigraphy and manuscript collection. Traveling extensively in Italy, he gathered a significant archive of Greek inscriptions and medieval texts that enriched European libraries. His catalogues and transcriptions provided critical insights into ancient languages, law, and literature. Gude’s meticulous scholarship laid groundwork for modern classical studies and archaeology. He served as a librarian and advisor to European nobility, sharing his findings through published correspondences. His contributions helped shape the nascent field of historical science in the 17th century.

John Hudson (1662–1719) was an English scholar and librarian renowned for his editions of early Christian and classical Latin authors. Serving as sub-librarian and later a tutor at Christ Church, Oxford, he produced authoritative works on Lactantius, Ambrose, and Martial. Hudson’s critical approach established new standards in textual scholarship and philology. He amassed a valuable collection of manuscripts and improved library cataloguing practices. His publications influenced generations of scholars in the study of patristic and classical literature. A respected teacher, he mentored future eminent academics before his death in 1719.

James Steuart (1712–1780) was a Scottish economist remembered for his influential work 'An Inquiry into the Principles of Political Economy'. Published in 1767, it presented comprehensive analysis of taxation, money, and trade policies under mercantilist principles. Steuart argued for regulated markets to balance public revenue and private enterprise, anticipating later debates in economic theory. He served as a Member of Parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, bringing practical experience to his theoretical insights. His writing shaped early economic thought before the rise of classical economists like Adam Smith. Despite being overshadowed, Steuart’s treatise remains a landmark in the history of economic literature.

John Loudon McAdam (1756–1836) was a Scottish engineer whose innovations transformed public roads worldwide. After serving in the military, he became Surveyor General of Roads in Bristol, devising a method of layered, compacted stone to create durable road surfaces. His 'macadamisation' process provided smoother, more stable routes and reduced maintenance costs compared to traditional methods. McAdam published detailed reports and oversaw the adoption of his technique across Britain and America. His work laid the foundation for modern highway engineering and contributed to the growth of commerce and transportation. McAdam’s legacy endures in the many roads that still bear his name.

Born in 1813 in Belfast, Thomas Andrews made pioneering contributions to physical chemistry. He is best known for his experiments on the liquefaction of gases and his identification of the critical point of carbon dioxide. His 1869 paper on phase transition laid the groundwork for the modern understanding of thermodynamics. Andrews served as a lecturer and later as Professor of Chemistry at Queen's College, Belfast. He collaborated with leading scientists, including Henry Roscoe, advancing both theoretical and experimental work. Andrews was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his achievements. He died in 1885, leaving a legacy that continues to influence chemical science.

Born in 1848 in Ireland, George Edward Dobson combined careers in medicine, zoology, and photography. As a surgeon in the Indian Medical Service, he collected and described numerous species of bats and insectivores, publishing key works on their taxonomy. Dobson's 'Catalogue of the Chiroptera' remains a foundational reference in chiropterology. He was also an avid photographer, documenting wildlife and landscapes in British India. His contributions to natural history earned him Fellowship of the Royal Society. Dobson returned to Britain later in life, continuing his research and lectures at the Royal College of Surgeons. He died in 1895, leaving behind extensive zoological collections and publications.

Born in 1864 in Scotland, Elsie Inglis graduated from the University of Edinburgh as one of the first female medical graduates. She practiced as a physician and became a leading advocate for women's rights and medical education. In 1914, she founded the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service after her offer to serve with British medical units was rejected. Her all-women medical units served in Serbia, France, and Russia, providing critical care in war zones. Inglis's efforts saved countless lives and demonstrated the capabilities of female doctors under fire. She died in 1917 in Serbia, remembered for her pioneering spirit and dedication to both medicine and women's suffrage.

Born in 1866 in Chełm, Mykhailo Hrushevsky studied history at Kyiv University and became one of the foremost scholars of Ukrainian history. His multi-volume History of Ukraine-Rus laid the foundation for modern Ukrainian historiography. Hrushevsky was a central figure in the Ukrainian national revival and helped found the Central Council (Rada) in 1917. Elected as the head of the Ukrainian People's Republic, he guided the fledgling state through revolution and war. After the Bolshevik takeover, he lived in exile, continuing to publish and lecture on Ukrainian culture. He died in 1934 in Lviv, leaving a legacy as a scholar-statesman and a symbol of Ukrainian independence.

Sven Hedin (1865–1952) was a Swedish geographer and explorer known for his daring expeditions across Asia. Between 1893 and 1909, he led multiple journeys to the Pamir Mountains, the Taklamakan Desert, and Tibet, charting previously unknown territories. Hedin produced detailed maps and valuable geographic and ethnographic observations that shaped Western understanding of Central Asia. He funded his travels through writing, lectures, and photography, becoming a celebrated author of travel literature. Hedin later held academic positions and was elected to the Swedish Academy. His legacy endures in major geographic discoveries and the Hedin Glacier in Antarctica named in his honor.

Born in 1901, Max Euwe combined his talents as a mathematician and chess master to achieve the highest pinnacle of the game. He won the World Chess Championship in 1935 and later served as president of FIDE, promoting chess worldwide. Euwe earned a doctorate in mathematics and authored numerous influential books on chess theory. His dual career bridged the worlds of science and competitive chess, leaving a legacy in both fields.