November 27

Abraham de Moivre was born in 1667 in Vitry-le-François, France, and fled to England as a Huguenot refugee. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society and taught mathematics to prominent figures of his time. De Moivre authored "The Doctrine of Chances," a seminal work in probability theory, and formulated De Moivre's formula linking complex numbers and trigonometry. His approximation to the normal distribution, later known as the de Moivre-Laplace theorem, influenced statistics. De Moivre continued to work until his death on November 27, 1754. His contributions remain fundamental in modern mathematics.

Andrew Meikle was born in 1719 in East Lothian, Scotland, and worked as a millwright and engineer. In the 1780s, he developed the threshing machine, automating the process of separating grain from chaff. His invention greatly increased agricultural productivity and spread across Britain and beyond. Meikle’s work represented a significant step in the agricultural revolution of the 18th century. Despite the impact of his design, he did not secure full patent rights and received limited financial reward. He died on November 27, 1811, but his legacy endures in mechanized farming.

Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace (1815–1852) collaborated with Charles Babbage on the Analytical Engine. She translated and annotated his work, writing the first algorithm intended for machine execution. Lovelace’s visionary notes anticipated modern computing concepts such as looping and subroutines. Her insights emphasized the machine’s potential beyond calculation, including music and art. She is celebrated today as a pioneer of computer science and an inspiration for women in STEM.

Richard Christopher Carrington (1826–1875) was a distinguished English astronomer and teacher. He made meticulous observations of sunspots and recorded the first solar flare in 1859, later called the Carrington Event. Carrington’s work provided crucial evidence linking solar activity to geomagnetic disturbances on Earth. He held the Savilian Chair of Astronomy at Oxford University and mentored the next generation of astronomers. His pioneering research laid foundations for modern solar physics and space weather studies.

Jean Albert Gaudry (1827–1908) was an influential French geologist and palaeontologist. He conducted extensive fossil excavations in Greece, unearthing specimens that illuminated ancient life. Gaudry proposed theories of progressive evolution, anticipating later Darwinian concepts. He held a professorship at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris and joined the French Academy of Sciences. His publications and collections significantly advanced the study of Earth’s geological and biological history.

Born in Botoșani, Nicolae Iorga published over 1,000 works on Romanian culture and history. He founded the Institute of South-East European Studies and taught at the University of Bucharest. Iorga served as Prime Minister of Romania from 1931 to 1932, implementing social and educational reforms. A vocal critic of extremist movements, he was assassinated by the Iron Guard in 1940. His scholarly and political contributions left an enduring mark on Romanian national identity.

Born in 1879, Leonid Mandelstam became one of Russia’s most influential theoretical physicists. He co-discovered the phenomenon of stimulated Brillouin scattering and formulated key principles of wave propagation in solids and plasmas. Mandelstam’s research contributed critically to the understanding of multiple light scattering, now known as Mandelstam–Brillouin scattering. As a professor at Moscow State University, he mentored a generation of Soviet physicists and founded a prominent school of physical acoustics. He published over 200 scientific papers and textbooks that remain reference points in optics. Mandelstam passed away in 1944, leaving a lasting legacy in experimental and theoretical physics.

Massimino studied engineering in Turin and joined Fiat in the 1920s, contributing to groundbreaking engine and chassis designs. He later moved to Lancia, where he helped develop advanced suspension systems for sports cars. His innovations included work on racing engines that achieved notable successes on European circuits. Massimino’s engineering expertise influenced automotive design and performance standards for decades. He remained active in the industry until his death, leaving a legacy of technical excellence in Italian car manufacturing.

Born in Athens, Xanthopoulos earned his doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of Thessaloniki. He became known for his work on exact solutions in general relativity, particularly colliding plane wave models. His research advanced understanding of spacetime singularities and gravitational wave interactions. Xanthopoulos held professorships at leading universities and mentored a generation of physicists. He published numerous influential papers that remain cited in modern cosmology studies. His blend of rigorous mathematics and physical insight distinguished him in the field of theoretical physics.

Born in San Antonio in 1927, Robert Cade pursued a medical career that combined research and athletics. As a nephrologist at the University of Florida, he led a team that formulated Gatorade to replenish electrolytes for athletes. Introduced in 1965, Gatorade revolutionized sports hydration and became a global brand in sports nutrition. Cade published extensively on kidney function and dehydration, earning respect in both medical and sports communities. His work bridged scientific research and practical application, leaving a lasting impact on athlete performance and health.

Volker Roemheld was born in 1941 in Germany. After completing his studies in biology and physiology, he embarked on a career in scientific research. His work focused on physiological processes at the cellular and organism level, exploring mechanisms that govern biological functions. He published influential papers on nutrient uptake and metabolic regulation in living systems. Roemheld held a professorship at a major German university, where he taught and mentored students. He was recognized for his rigorous methodology and contributions to both basic and applied biology. He passed away in 2013, remembered as a dedicated scientist and educator.

Wanda Błeńska was born in 1911 in Poznań, Poland. After earning her medical degree, she volunteered as a missionary doctor in Uganda in the 1950s. She led efforts at the Buluba Leprosy Hospital, improving care and rehabilitation for thousands of patients. Her compassionate approach combined medical treatment with social support, transforming community healthcare. Błeńska received numerous honors, including the Order of Polonia Restituta, for her humanitarian work. She authored memoirs recounting her experiences and advocated for global awareness of tropical diseases. She died in 2014 at age 103, revered as a pioneer in tropical medicine and human compassion.