February 03

Joseph Forlenze (1757–1833) was an Italian ophthalmologist renowned for his expertise in cataract surgery. He traveled across Europe establishing ophthalmic clinics and offering treatments to royalty and the poor alike. His work introduced new methods for treating glaucoma and cataracts, influencing surgical practices throughout the 19th century. He published several important medical treatises on ocular diseases, advancing the field of ophthalmology. Forlenze’s legacy lives on in the surgical techniques and instruments he developed, many of which are still studied today.

John Cheyne (1777–1836) was a Scottish physician whose studies in clinical medicine led to the discovery of the Cheyne–Stokes breathing phenomenon. He served as a physician at the West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum and lectured at the Leeds School of Medicine. Cheyne published influential medical papers on cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, advancing early 19th-century medicine. He was appointed physician to King George IV and to the House of Correction in Leeds. His meticulous observations and writings continue to influence the fields of neurology and pulmonology.

Mihail G. Boiagi (born 1780) was a pioneering Aromanian grammarian dedicated to documenting his native tongue. As a professor of philology, he produced one of the earliest systematic grammars of Aromanian, ensuring its scholarly study. His work laid the foundation for future research in Romance linguistics and the preservation of minority languages. Boiagi’s meticulous analysis of dialects and syntax remains a valuable reference for modern linguists. Through teaching and publication, he championed the cultural identity of the Aromanian people.

Gideon Mantell (1790–1852) was an English geologist and physician famed for discovering the Iguanodon fossil. Born in Sussex, he began collecting fossils in the South Downs while practicing medicine. In 1825, Mantell identified and named Iguanodon, a groundbreaking contribution to early paleontology. He authored The Fossils of the South Downs, a seminal work that popularized the study of prehistoric life. As a fellow and later president of the Geological Society of London, he influenced the scientific community’s understanding of Earth’s history.

Achille Delesse began his scientific career studying at the École Polytechnique before joining the Corps des Mines in France. He made significant contributions to petrology and mineralogy, including the development of the Delesse method for quantifying mineral volumes in rocks. As a professor at the École des Mines de Paris, he trained a generation of geologists and led extensive geological surveys. Delesse also researched strata formation, volcanic activity, and hydrogeology, producing influential publications. His work laid the foundations for modern quantitative petrography. He was elected to the French Academy of Sciences for his lasting impact on earth sciences.

Elizabeth Blackwell broke gender barriers when she graduated first in her class from Geneva Medical College in 1849, becoming the first female M.D. in the United States. Facing resistance from the medical establishment, she opened a medical practice in New York City and devoted herself to improving women’s healthcare. In 1857, she co-founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children, providing free medical care and training for women doctors. Blackwell was instrumental in establishing the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874. She wrote influential texts on hygiene and social reform, advocating for preventive medicine. Her lifelong dedication to education and public health paved the way for countless women in medicine.

Hugo Junkers was a visionary German engineer whose groundbreaking work in aeronautics paved the way for modern aircraft design. In 1915, he introduced the Junkers J 1, the world's first all-metal monoplane, demonstrating the advantages of duralumin construction. He founded Junkers & Co., which became a major aircraft and engine manufacturer during and after World War I. Junkers championed the use of air-cooled engines and stressed the importance of aerodynamics and structural integrity. Despite political and economic challenges during the interwar period, his designs influenced aviation worldwide. Junkers's legacy endures in the lasting impact of his technological innovations on the aerospace industry.

Charles Henry Turner was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in zoology, receiving his degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1907. His research focused on the learning and navigation abilities of insects, challenging prevailing assumptions about invertebrate intelligence. Turner published numerous studies exploring how insects respond to visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli, laying the groundwork for modern behavioral ecology. He taught biology at Sumner High School in St. Louis, where he inspired generations of students. Despite facing racial discrimination, Turner established himself as a respected scientist and educator. His scholarly contributions continue to influence research in animal cognition and comparative psychology.

Gaston Julia made groundbreaking contributions to the field of complex analysis and dynamical systems. His 1918 work on the iteration of rational functions led to the concept of Julia sets, fractal boundaries that reveal intricate behavior in the complex plane. Despite suffering serious injuries in World War I, he completed his doctoral thesis and secured a position at the Collège de France. Julia collaborated with Pierre Fatou on pioneering studies that laid the foundation for modern fractal geometry. He served as a professor at the University of Paris and mentored future generations of mathematicians. Julia's work continues to influence fields ranging from mathematics to physics and computer graphics.

Born in Tartu, Estonia, Ariste specialized in Uralic language studies. He played a key role in documenting and preserving minority languages across the Soviet Union. Ariste published numerous works on Estonian and other Finno-Ugric languages. He served as a professor and head of the Department of Finno-Ugric Studies at the University of Tartu. His scholarship strengthened the understanding of language contact and dialectology. Ariste was also involved in language policy and cultural activism. He remained a central figure in Baltic linguistics until his death in 1990.

Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, Beurling made significant contributions to functional analysis and spectral synthesis. During World War II, he famously broke the German cipher machine, giving Allied forces vital intelligence. He later emigrated to the United States and joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Beurling's research includes the Beurling transform and his collaboration with other leading mathematicians. He taught at Uppsala University and was known for his deep lectures. His legacy endures in modern mathematical analysis and cryptography.

Soustelle earned his doctorate in anthropology, conducting fieldwork among indigenous Mexican communities. He became a professor at the Collège de France and published influential studies on Mesoamerican cultures. During World War II, Soustelle joined the Free French Forces and held government posts after the war. As Governor-General of Algeria, he advocated for reforms and better treatment of Muslim Algerians. He later served as Minister of Information and Cultural Affairs under Charles de Gaulle. Soustelle opposed Algerian independence, leading to his exile in Mexico. Throughout his career, he wrote extensively on anthropology, politics, and national identity.