February 12

Reichenbach began his career in the chemical industry, studying creosote, naphthalene, and glacial acetic acid. He is credited with pioneering the extraction of paraffin from mineral oils, revolutionizing the wax and lubrication industries. Beyond chemistry, Reichenbach explored phlogiston and metaphysical concepts, coining the idea of the 'Odic force'. His controversial theories on life forces influenced early spiritualist and hygienist movements. Reichenbach published extensively on natural sciences, blending empirical research with speculative philosophy. Though his Odic force theory was later discredited, his chemical innovations had lasting industrial impact.

Born Mool Shankar in 1824 in Gujarat, Dayananda Saraswati became a prominent Hindu monk and Vedic scholar. He rejected ritualism and caste discrimination, advocating a return to the authority of the Vedas and the unity of all Hindus. In 1875, he founded the Arya Samaj to promote education, women’s rights, and social reform across British India. His lectures and writings challenged orthodox practices and inspired a generation of nationalists. Dayananda’s emphasis on social equality and moral discipline influenced the Indian independence movement. He was assassinated in 1883 while campaigning in Punjab, but his reformist legacy endured through Arya Samaj institutions.

Lev Shestov was born in Kyiv in 1866 and studied law before turning to philosophy. He drew on the works of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, challenging the limits of human reason. In his seminal work 'All Things Are Possible', he argued that true understanding transcends rational thought. Shestov's emphasis on existential faith and the absurd influenced the development of existentialist thought. He lectured in Europe, including Berlin and Paris, engaging with contemporary intellectual circles. His writings continue to be studied for their depth and originality in confronting human freedom and uncertainty. He passed away in 1938, leaving a legacy in existential philosophy.

Jacques Herbrand made significant advances in proof theory and formal logic at a young age. His work on what became known as Herbrand's theorem laid the groundwork for automated theorem proving. Despite his untimely death in a mountaineering accident, his publications profoundly influenced 20th-century logic and computer science. Herbrand's research bridged the gap between abstract mathematical concepts and practical methods for verifying proofs. Today, his legacy persists in logic, artificial intelligence, and theoretical computer science.