December 19

Born in 1699 in London, William Bowyer established his own printing house early in the 18th century. He earned the nickname 'the learned printer' through close collaboration with scholars to produce accurate editions of classical texts. Bowyer’s press became renowned for its typographical quality and attention to detail in works by authors such as Addison, Swift, and Milton. He served as Printer to the University of Cambridge and published important historical and genealogical volumes. His commitment to scholarship and craftsmanship influenced printing standards in England until his death in 1777.

Born in Pennsylvania, Henry Clay Frick founded a successful coke manufacturing company that became central to the Carnegie Steel empire. He served as chairman of Carnegie Steel and played a controversial role in the 1892 Homestead Strike. Amassing great wealth, Frick developed one of the finest private art collections of his era, including Old Masters and European paintings. He commissioned an opulent mansion on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue to house his collection, now the Frick Collection museum. His patronage advanced public access to fine art while his business practices influenced industrial labor relations. Frick's legacy reflects both the ambition and complexity of the Gilded Age.

Ford C. Frick (1894–1978) began his career as a sportswriter for the New York Times before rising through the ranks of baseball administration. He served as the National League’s publicity director before being appointed Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Frick’s tenure saw the league’s expansion, the advent of the All-Star Game’s enduring popularity, and efforts to televise games nationwide. He was known for defending the sport’s integrity, including enforcing rules against gambling and game-fixing. Frick’s leadership helped shape modern professional baseball in the postwar era. His contributions are commemorated by the Ford C. Frick Award for baseball broadcasting excellence.

Born in New York City, Irving Kahn graduated from Columbia University and began his investment career on Wall Street. He co-founded Kahn Brothers & Co. in 1967, focusing on value investing and fundamental research. Known for his disciplined approach and long-term perspective, Kahn continued analyzing markets and writing investment letters well past his 100th birthday. He advocated ethical investing and mentored generations of financial professionals. Kahn's longevity and sustained market engagement earned him recognition as one of the world's oldest active investors before his death at age 109.

Wally Olins studied at the London School of Economics before embarking on a career in branding. In 1965, he co-founded Wolff Olins, which became one of the world's most influential brand consultancies. Olins guided major corporations and public institutions in crafting distinctive visual identities and strategic communications. An accomplished author, he wrote several seminal books on branding, including Brand New and The Brand Handbook. He lectured at leading universities and helped train the next generation of marketing professionals. Olins's innovative ideas transformed how organizations think about their brands and engage with global audiences.

Rosemary Conley launched a weight-loss program and franchise that helped millions achieve healthier lifestyles. She authored numerous best-selling diet and exercise books, blending scientific insights with practical, easy-to-follow advice. Conley hosted popular television and radio shows, bringing fitness education into homes across the UK. Her pioneering community-based exercise classes earned her widespread recognition in public health and fitness. She was awarded an OBE for her services to fitness and community health, highlighting her impact beyond the business world.

Orna Berry co-founded and led several pioneering technology startups in Israel's burgeoning high-tech sector. She served as the first female vice president in IBM's Research Division and later as Chief Scientist at the Israeli Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor. Berry has been instrumental in shaping national technology policy, advocating for innovation and entrepreneurship. She holds a Ph.D. in computer science and has published influential research in distributed computing and systems performance. Her trailblazing career has earned her awards for leadership and contributions to both science and industry.