December 13

Jean Gerson was born in 1363 and became a leading theologian and scholar at the University of Paris. As chancellor, he played a key role in the Council of Constance, advocating church reform and condemning heresy. He wrote influential works on mysticism, ethics, and education that shaped late medieval thought. Gerson's poetry and sermons were widely circulated, earning him recognition beyond France. His moderate reformist stance made him a bridge between radical and conservative factions in the church.

Martín de Azpilcueta was born in 1491 in Navarre and became a prominent canon lawyer and theologian. He served as a professor at the University of Avignon and later at the University of Salamanca. Azpilcueta’s treatises on money and credit laid the groundwork for modern economic thought and earned him the title Doctor Navarrus. He also advised bishops and monarchs on legal and financial matters, influencing policy across Spain. His interdisciplinary work bridged theology, law, and economics in the 16th century.

Born in 1640 in Kent, Robert Plot studied at Oxford University and quickly established himself in natural history. He was appointed the first Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum on its founding in 1683 and served as the first Professor of Chemistry at Oxford. Plot’s seminal work 'The Natural History of Oxford-shire' (1677) provided detailed descriptions of local geology, minerals, and fossils, including one of the earliest scientific accounts of a dinosaur bone. His research laid important groundwork for English natural history and early geology. Plot also experimented with chemical processes, contributing to the advancement of laboratory practices in the 17th century.

Born in Verona in 1662, Francesco Bianchini pursued both ecclesiastical duties and a lifelong passion for astronomy. He conducted detailed observations of Venus’s phases and published 'Hesperi et Phosphori nova phaenomena' in 1728, improving astronomical instruments and methods. As a professor at the Sapienza University of Rome, he helped refine measurements of celestial mechanics and the obliquity of the ecliptic. Bianchini also compiled extensive works on Roman antiquities and chronology, blending scientific inquiry with historical scholarship. His interdisciplinary approach influenced both astronomical study and the humanities in the early 18th century.

Born in Luxembourg in 1724, Franz Aepinus studied mathematics and physics at Halle before joining the Russian Academy of Sciences in Saint Petersburg. His 1756 treatise 'Tentamen Theoriae Electricitatis et Magnetismi' proposed a theoretical framework for electrostatics and magnetism that influenced leading European scientists. Aepinus also advanced planetary physics by suggesting that the Earth has a molten core beneath a solid crust. His clear experimental methods and theoretical insights helped bridge empirical research and mathematical description in natural philosophy. Aepinus remained a prominent figure in the scientific community until his death in 1802.

Born in Hof in 1780, Döbereiner earned his doctorate at Jena and later became a professor of chemistry at the University of Jena. In 1823, he invented the Döbereiner’s lamp, an early form of lighter that used a platinum catalyst to ignite hydrogen. Döbereiner also observed patterns among elements, grouping them into 'triads' with similar chemical properties—an important step toward the development of the periodic table. His research on catalysis and elemental relations earned widespread recognition among European chemists. Döbereiner’s blend of experimental ingenuity and theoretical insight left a lasting impact on chemical science.

Born in Hanover on December 13, 1816, Siemens made groundbreaking advances in telegraphy and electrical engineering. He invented the pointer telegraph and improved the design of dynamo machines, accelerating industrial electrification. In 1847, he co-founded Siemens & Halske, which grew into one of the world’s leading engineering firms. Siemens’ leadership fostered innovation in communication, transportation, and energy sectors. He was ennobled by the King of Prussia for his industrial achievements. Passionate about education, he supported technical schools and research institutions. Siemens died in 1892, leaving a lasting mark on modern technology and industry.

Kristian Birkeland was a pioneering Norwegian physicist who conducted groundbreaking studies of the Earth's magnetic field and the aurora borealis. He developed the Birkeland current theory to explain polar lights and their interaction with solar particles. Birkeland designed the terrella, a magnetized sphere, to simulate space plasma in the laboratory. His work laid the foundation for modern space physics and influenced later research on geomagnetism. Despite limited resources, he led the Andøya expedition to study the northern lights in situ. Birkeland also authored popular science works to bring scientific ideas to the public. He tragically died in 1917, leaving a legacy as one of Norway's most innovative scientists.

Josef Lhévinne was a celebrated Russian pianist known for his exquisite technique and lyrical interpretations. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory and won the prestigious Anton Rubinstein Prize in 1897. Lhévinne toured extensively in Europe and the United States, earning acclaim for performances of Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart. After settling in New York, he joined the faculty of the Juilliard School, where he mentored a generation of pianists. His teaching emphasized clarity of touch, tonal beauty, and musical phrasing, influencing piano pedagogy worldwide. Lhévinne also recorded several piano rolls that showcase his remarkable precision and artistry. He passed away in 1944, leaving behind a reputation as one of the finest pianists of his era.

Annie Dale Biddle Andrews was an American mathematician recognized as the first woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University. Born in 1885, she completed her doctoral dissertation on point loci in geometry under the supervision of Professor Virgil Snyder. After earning her Ph.D. in 1920, Andrews joined the faculty at Vassar College, where she taught geometry and calculus. She published research papers on projective geometry and contributed to the advancement of women in mathematical sciences. Andrews actively participated in mathematical societies and advocated for greater educational opportunities for women. Her rigorous teaching and mentorship inspired many students to pursue careers in mathematics. She passed away in 1940, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer for women mathematicians.

George Pólya was a Hungarian-American mathematician whose writings on problem-solving have influenced generations of educators and students. Born in 1887, he studied at ETH Zurich before holding professorships in Göttingen and Budapest. Pólya emigrated to the United States in 1940, joining Stanford University, where he taught until his retirement. His seminal book 'How to Solve It' introduced heuristic techniques that revolutionized mathematical education. Pólya made contributions to probability, combinatorics, and complex analysis, authoring over 200 papers. He devised Pólya's enumeration theorem, fundamental in counting combinatorial structures. Pólya received numerous honors and continued writing influential works until his death in 1985.

Talcott Parsons was born in Colorado Springs in 1902 and earned his doctorate at the London School of Economics. At Harvard University, he became a leading figure in sociology, promoting the study of social systems and institutions. His 1937 book 'The Structure of Social Action' laid the groundwork for his theory of structural functionalism. Parsons introduced models such as the AGIL schema to analyze societal functions of adaptation, goal attainment, integration, and latency. He served as president of the American Sociological Association and influenced generations of social scientists. Parsons continued teaching and writing until his death in 1979, leaving a lasting impact on the field.