December 09

William Whiston was a prominent 18th-century scholar who made contributions across mathematics, history, and religious thought. He is best known for his translation of the works of Flavius Josephus and for advocating an early form of Arianism. As Newton's successor as Lucasian Professor at Cambridge, Whiston lectured on mathematics and natural philosophy, emphasizing Newtonian physics. His controversial theological views, including criticisms of traditional church doctrine, led to his removal from the professorship. Despite this, he continued to publish influential writings on ancient history, prophetic interpretation, and scientific topics, leaving a lasting interdisciplinary legacy.

Born in 1842 into Russian nobility, Peter Kropotkin trained as a geographer and zoologist.\nHe conducted pioneering research on glaciers and geological formations in Siberia.\nKropotkin became a leading theorist of anarchist communism, arguing in his work 'Mutual Aid: A Factor of Evolution' (1902) that cooperation drives evolutionary success.\nHe wrote extensively on social philosophy, economics, and political theory.\nHis advocacy for decentralized, stateless societies influenced political movements worldwide.\nKropotkin spent his later years in exile in Western Europe, continuing to publish until his death.\nHe died in 1921, leaving a lasting impact on political thought and social theory.

After earning his doctorate in Germany, Blewett returned to Canada to teach philosophy at Queen’s University. He authored influential works on the relationship between nature, consciousness, and religion. His writings, such as "The Study of Nature and the Vision of God," explored Christian interpretations of philosophy. Blewett was celebrated for his eloquent prose and engaging lectures, inspiring a generation of Canadian scholars. His promising career was cut short by his untimely death at age 38, leaving a lasting impact on Canadian intellectual life.