December 15

Gustave Eiffel was born in Dijon, France in 1832 and trained as a civil engineer at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures. He founded the Eiffel Company in 1866 and pioneered innovative iron construction techniques. In 1889 he oversaw the design and construction of the Eiffel Tower for the Paris Exposition Universelle, which became an enduring symbol of France. His work also included contributions to the internal framework of the Statue of Liberty. Eiffel's mastery of metallurgy and structural analysis influenced modern engineering practices. He held over 40 patents and lectured internationally on engineering subjects. Eiffel died in 1923, leaving a legacy as one of the most celebrated engineers of the 19th century.

Edward White Bullinger was born in 1837 in London and ordained as a minister in the Church of England. He served congregations in Europe and became a leading voice in the Plymouth Brethren movement. Bullinger authored over 70 works, including the influential 'The Companion Bible,' which offered detailed annotations on biblical texts. He is noted for developing dispensational theology and meticulous chronological studies of Scripture. Beyond theology, Bullinger was a scholar of ancient languages and published significant research on biblical manuscripts. His efforts greatly impacted evangelical scholarship and influenced generations of biblical students. He passed away in 1913, leaving a lasting legacy in Christian theology and biblical studies.

Antoine Henri Becquerel was born in Paris in 1852 into a family of distinguished scientists. While investigating phosphorescence in uranium salts in 1896, he discovered that the material emitted penetrating rays without external energy, a phenomenon later termed radioactivity. This groundbreaking discovery inaugurated the study of atomic physics and influenced contemporaries such as Marie Curie. Becquerel shared the 1903 Nobel Prize in Physics with Pierre and Marie Curie for his research on spontaneous radioactivity. He held prestigious positions including inspector-general of the French Eiffel Tower observatory and taught at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. His work laid the foundation for atomic theory and nuclear science. Becquerel died in 1908, leaving a profound legacy in both physics and chemistry.

Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof was born in Białystok in 1859 into a multicultural community and developed an early interest in language and communication. Trained as an ophthalmologist, he simultaneously pursued the design of a neutral language to foster understanding among different ethnic groups. In 1887 he published the first book on Esperanto, outlining its grammar, vocabulary, and philosophy. The language emphasized simplicity, regularity, and ease of learning, attracting a growing international community. Zamenhof traveled widely to promote Esperanto, founded the first Esperanto organization in 1905, and edited periodicals to support its adoption. He believed that a common language could help bridge cultural divides and promote peace. Zamenhof died in 1917, but his vision continues through millions of speakers and a vibrant global movement.

Niels Ryberg Finsen was born in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands in 1860 and studied medicine at the University of Copenhagen. He conducted research on the therapeutic effects of ultraviolet light and developed the Finsen lamp to treat skin diseases such as lupus vulgaris. His work marked the first successful application of light therapy in modern medicine. In 1903 Finsen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his contributions to phototherapy. He founded the Finsen Institute in Copenhagen, which became a leading center for light-based medical treatments. Finsen also lectured and published extensively on the biological effects of light. He died in 1904, leaving a legacy as a pioneer in medical photobiology and public health.

Charles Edgar Duryea was born in 1861 in Illinois and studied engineering at the University of Illinois. In 1893, he and his brother built the first successful American gasoline-powered automobile and won the country's first road race. Later that year they formed the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, the first firm in the U.S. dedicated to manufacturing automobiles commercially. Duryea’s designs featured innovations such as a spray carburetor and a detachable touring car body. He oversaw early production and worked to improve engine reliability and comfort. His efforts laid the groundwork for the burgeoning automotive industry in America. Duryea died in 1938, remembered as a key figure in the birth of the U.S. automobile.

Arthur Dehon Little was born in 1863 in Boston and earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from MIT. He began his career studying cellulose and paper manufacturing processes, earning recognition for his experimental work. In 1909 he co-founded the consulting firm Arthur D. Little, Inc., which pioneered scientific management and industrial research services. Under his leadership the firm expanded globally, advising major corporations on chemical engineering and process optimization. Little also lectured at MIT and published influential papers on industrial chemistry. His vision helped establish the discipline of management consulting and shaped modern corporate research and development. Little passed away in 1935, leaving a legacy of innovation at the intersection of science and industry.

Born in 1869, Leon Marchlewski earned his doctorate in chemistry and became a leading figure in Polish scientific research. He focused on organic chemistry, publishing numerous papers on the synthesis and properties of organic compounds. Marchlewski held professorships at several universities, where he guided and mentored generations of students. A dedicated academic, he organized research laboratories and curricula that advanced chemical education in Poland. He was an active member and president of the Polish Chemical Society, fostering scientific collaboration. Marchlewski died in 1946, leaving a lasting legacy as a mentor and pioneer in Polish chemistry.

Born in 1885, Leonid Pitamic studied law and philosophy, laying the groundwork for his interdisciplinary scholarship. He held professorships at universities in Ljubljana and advocated for rigorous legal education. Pitamic authored influential texts on constitutional law and the philosophical foundations of legal systems. His work bridged legal studies and modern philosophical inquiry, earning international recognition. He helped establish academic standards and institutions for legal scholarship in Slovenia. Pitamic died in 1971, remembered as a leading jurist and thinker.

Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, Vibert Douglas pursued a passion for the stars from an early age. She earned her doctorate in astronomy in 1926 and joined the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. Douglas conducted pioneering observations of variable stars and promoted astrophotography techniques. She became the first woman president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Throughout her career, she wrote influential articles and mentored young astronomers. Her legacy endures through scholarships and awards bearing her name.

Eliza Atkins Gleason (1909-2009) was a trailblazing American librarian and academic whose groundbreaking work focused on library accessibility for African Americans in the segregated South. Her 1941 dissertation, The Southern Negro and the Public Library, provided a seminal analysis of racial barriers to library services. As an educator, she served on the faculty of multiple institutions, influencing generations of librarianship students. Gleason was instrumental in promoting equitable library services and advancing diversity within the profession. Her legacy endures through her scholarly contributions and commitment to social justice in information access.

Nicholas P. Dallis (1911-1991) was an American psychiatrist and cartoonist who combined his medical expertise with creative storytelling. Under the pen name Dal Curtis, he launched the popular comic strips Rex Morgan, M.D. and Judge Parker, bringing authenticity to medical and legal narratives. His work brought everyday professional life to newspaper comic pages and resonated with readers nationwide. Dallis balanced his career in psychiatry with an enduring passion for illustration. His legacy lives on through the continued publication of his comic creations.