December 26

John Fothergill was a prominent 18th-century English physician known for his compassionate medical practice in London. A dedicated Quaker, he treated patients regardless of their social standing and helped found the London Hospital. As a botanist, he cultivated and promoted American species, collaborating with Carl Linnaeus on plant classification. His extensive writings and correspondence contributed to advances in both medicine and botany. He published influential 'Medical Observations' that spanned topics from clinical treatments to human physiology. Through his dual interests, he bridged the gap between medical science and natural history in the Enlightenment era.

Jean Léonard Marie Poiseuille was a pioneering 19th-century French physician who made groundbreaking contributions to hemodynamics. He formulated Poiseuille's law, which describes the principles of laminar flow in capillaries and vessels. Using manometers and glass tubes, he conducted meticulous experiments on the flow of blood and other fluids. His work laid the foundation for modern cardiovascular physiology and medical instrumentation. Poiseuille's investigations bridged experimental physics and medicine, influencing both fields profoundly. His legacy endures in the SI unit 'poise' for dynamic viscosity, honoring his research on fluid properties.

Heinrich Schliemann was a self-taught archaeologist whose excavations at Hisarlik in modern-day Turkey brought the Homeric city of Troy into the realm of historical study. A successful businessman in his early career, he financed his passion for antiquity with personal fortune. His discoveries of Priam's Treasure and Mycenaean tombs at Mycenae captivated the scholarly world and the public. Although later criticized for his unstratified digging methods, his contributions fundamentally changed our understanding of Bronze Age civilizations. Schliemann's bold approach and romantic vision of the past inspired a new generation of archaeological exploration. His publications and lectures across Europe popularized the study of classical antiquity.

Born in 1851 in Adams Center, New York, Melvil Dewey pioneered modern library science. He introduced the Dewey Decimal Classification in 1876, a numerical system to organize library materials by subject. Dewey co-founded the American Library Association in 1876 and served as its first secretary. He championed library education and standards, establishing the first library school at Columbia University. His innovations influenced libraries worldwide and remain in use today. Dewey's career also included work in spelling reform and editorial ventures. He passed away in 1931, leaving an enduring impact on information management.

Born in Kent in 1858, Fowler became one of the foremost authorities on English style and grammar. Along with his brother Francis, he edited The King's English and later published Modern English Usage in 1926. His work offered practical advice on clarity, correctness, and elegance in written English. Fowler served as editor of several periodicals and lectured widely on language usage. His prescriptive yet witty guidance influenced generations of writers and editors. Fowler's principles continue to shape style guides and linguistic debates. He passed away in 1933, leaving a lasting mark on English lexicography.

Dorothy Bliss, born in 1916, earned her Ph.D. from Yale University with a focus on starfish and sea urchins. As curator of invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, she led taxonomic studies and participated in major oceanographic expeditions. Bliss published extensively on echinoderm biology, providing foundational knowledge for marine science. A mentor to young zoologists, she advocated for scientific rigor and field research. Her work earned her recognition and species named in her honor. She passed away in 1987, leaving a legacy of dedication to marine science.

Cahit Arf made significant contributions to mathematics, including the introduction of the Arf invariant in algebraic topology. His work on quadratic forms and number theory has had a lasting impact on the field. Arf held academic positions at universities in Turkey and Europe, inspiring generations of students. He was a founding figure in Turkey's modern mathematical community, promoting research and education. Throughout his career, he published influential papers that continue to be widely cited. His dedication to scholarship laid the groundwork for future developments in algebra and geometry.

Jonathan Drummond-Webb was a distinguished South African cardiac surgeon specializing in complex pediatric cases. He served as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at renowned medical centers and taught at leading universities. Drummond-Webb authored influential research papers and helped develop innovative surgical techniques that improved patient outcomes. Colleagues praised his commitment to training the next generation of surgeons through hands-on mentorship. He also championed global health initiatives to bring advanced cardiac care to underserved regions. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he saved and the surgeons he inspired.

Born in New York City in 1922, Mintz earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University and joined its faculty. He conducted pioneering fieldwork in Puerto Rico and Jamaica, examining labor, culture, and foodways. His landmark book 'Sweetness and Power' explored how sugar shaped colonial economies and modern taste. Mintz served as a professor at Johns Hopkins University, influencing generations of scholars in anthropology and history. He received numerous awards for his interdisciplinary contributions to economic anthropology and food studies. His work remains foundational in understanding the links between culture, economics, and global commodities until his death in 2015.

Edward O. Wilson was a pioneering biologist whose research on ants laid the foundation for the field of sociobiology. Born in 1929, he spent decades studying insect ecology and behavior, earning worldwide acclaim for his detailed observations and theoretical insights. Wilson authored over 30 books, including two that won Pulitzer Prizes: 'On Human Nature' and 'The Ants'. He co-founded the discipline of conservation biology and advocated globally for the protection of Earth's biodiversity. His concept of biophilia explored the innate human affinity for the natural world. Wilson's work continues to influence biology, environmental policy, and our understanding of human nature.

Manmohan Singh, born in 1932, is credited with spearheading India's economic liberalization as Finance Minister in the early 1990s. A distinguished economist, he held academic posts at Oxford and Delhi universities before entering politics. Elected Prime Minister in 2004, he led a coalition government through a decade of rapid growth, technological advancement, and social change. Singh was the first Sikh to hold India's highest political office and received the Padma Vibhushan in recognition of his service. His tenure saw significant initiatives in healthcare, welfare programs, and foreign relations. Revered for his calm demeanor and integrity, Singh remains a respected figure in global economic and political circles.