February 17

Pierre Le Pesant de Boisguilbert (1646-1714) is often considered one of the earliest critics of mercantilism. In works like 'Le Détail de la France', he argued that taxes should be proportionate to peasants' ability to pay. He supported free trade principles and emphasized the importance of agricultural productivity for national wealth. Boisguilbert's ideas influenced later economic thinkers, including the physiocrats and Adam Smith. Despite facing opposition from royal authorities, he maintained a lasting reputation as an economic reformer. His work laid early foundations for modern economic thought in France.

Tobias Mayer (1723-1762) made significant contributions to celestial mechanics and navigation. His precise lunar tables improved the accuracy of the lunar distance method used for determining longitude. Mayer's work was adopted by the British Board of Longitude and advanced maritime navigation. He also conducted geodetic and astronomical observations at the University of Göttingen. Despite his short life, his research earned lasting recognition in both astronomy and cartography. Mayer's innovations laid groundwork for safer and more reliable ocean voyages.

Horace-Bénédict de Saussure (1740-1799) was a key figure in early geology and meteorology. He made the first recorded scientific ascent of Mont Blanc in 1787 to study atmospheric conditions. Saussure invented the cyanometer for measuring sky blueness and improved the design of solar hot boxes. His mountain expeditions yielded valuable data on temperature, geology, and atmospheric pressure. He published extensive observations in works like 'Voyages dans les Alpes', inspiring future naturalists. Saussure's interdisciplinary research helped establish the foundations of Earth sciences.

John Pinkerton was a Scottish antiquarian, cartographer, and numismatist whose writings shaped early 19th-century geography. He published 'Modern Geography' in 1808, offering detailed descriptions of European and American regions. Pinkerton's expertise in coinage led to important studies of ancient numismatics, enhancing historical dating methods. As a historian, he proposed revisionist interpretations of medieval chronicles, sparking scholarly debate. His membership in the Society of Antiquaries recognized his contributions to British antiquarian studies.

René Laennec was a French physician and medical researcher born in 1781. In 1816, he invented the stethoscope and introduced the practice of mediate auscultation, transforming clinical diagnosis of chest diseases. His seminal work, 'De l'auscultation médiate,' laid the foundation for modern cardiology and pulmonology. Laennec's careful observations and detailed case studies advanced understanding of tuberculosis, pneumonia, and heart conditions. Appointed to the Collège de France, he taught and influenced a generation of physicians before his death from tuberculosis in 1826.

Philipp Franz von Siebold was a German doctor and naturalist who served at the Dutch trading post of Dejima, Japan, from 1823 to 1829. He introduced Western medical practices and established a small hospital for Japanese patients, training local practitioners in anatomy and surgery. A passionate botanist, Siebold amassed an extensive collection of Japanese plants, later published as 'Flora Japonica.' His clandestine acquisition of Japanese maps led to political controversy and his expulsion from Japan in 1829. Back in Europe, Siebold continued his scientific work, donating specimens to museums and influencing Western knowledge of Asian biodiversity.

Carl Julian von Graba was a German jurist with a deep passion for ornithology, born in 1799. In 1828, he financed and led an expedition to the Faroe Islands to study and collect seabird specimens. Graba published one of the first comprehensive accounts of Faroe bird species, contributing to early biogeographical research. His legal career in Germany complemented his scientific pursuits, and he corresponded with leading naturalists of his time. Graba's work remains a valuable reference in the history of ornithology and the natural history of the North Atlantic islands.

Jozef Murgaš was a Slovak inventor and priest who conducted groundbreaking research in wireless telegraphy, predating many radio pioneers. After emigrating to the United States, he secured patents for wireless communication devices and contributed to early radio technology development. Passionate about botany, Murgaš documented plant species through detailed studies and scientific illustrations. He also nurtured his talent as a painter, capturing landscapes and folk scenes in his vibrant art. Murgaš returned to Europe later in life, where he continued scientific work and shared his expertise. His diverse accomplishments highlight a unique blend of spiritual vocation, scientific innovation, and artistic expression.

Otto Stern was born in Sohrau (now Poland) and studied physics under Max Planck and Albert Einstein. He developed the molecular beam method, which provided direct evidence of space quantization and revolutionized quantum physics. In 1943, Stern received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to molecular beam experiments. After emigrating to the United States in 1933, he served as a professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Stern's work laid the groundwork for later advances in atomic clocks and nuclear magnetic resonance. He published numerous papers on atomic theory and mentored a generation of physicists. Stern's legacy endures in the precision measurement techniques that underpin modern physics.

Ronald A. Fisher was born in East Finchley, London, and studied mathematics at Cambridge University. He introduced the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and developed the maximum likelihood estimation method, foundational to statistical inference. Fisher's book The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection bridged genetics and evolution, shaping modern evolutionary biology. He also pioneered experimental design, promoting randomized trials in agriculture and medicine. Fisher served as Cavendish Professor of Genetics at Cambridge, influencing both statistics and population genetics. His work on Fisher's exact test and chi-squared test remains central to statistical practice. Despite controversies, Fisher's innovations continue to underpin research across science.

Abraham Fraenkel was born in Germany and became a leading figure in early 20th-century set theory. He formulated the Zermelo–Fraenkel axioms, a standard foundation for modern set theory and mathematics. Fraenkel's contributions addressed paradoxes in naive set theory and strengthened its logical consistency. He taught at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem after emigrating in the 1930s, shaping Israel's mathematical community. Fraenkel published influential papers on cardinal and ordinal numbers and collaborated with Ernst Zermelo. He authored a widely used textbook on axiomatic set theory, training generations of mathematicians. Fraenkel's work remains a cornerstone of contemporary mathematical logic and foundations.

Born on February 17, 1904, in Coburg, Germany, Hans Morgenthau fled the rise of Nazism and later became a leading figure in American political science. He joined the faculty at the University of Chicago and then at the University of Notre Dame, where he influenced generations of scholars. His landmark work, "Politics Among Nations," established the principles of political realism, emphasizing power, national interest, and the immutable aspects of human nature. Morgenthau argued that moral considerations must be balanced against the realities of state behavior. He also wrote extensively on legal philosophy and ethics, bridging political theory with practical policy analysis. Throughout his career, he advised government officials and contributed to postwar policy debates. Morgenthau passed away in 1980, leaving a profound legacy in the study of international affairs.