March 13

Born in Regensburg in 1683, Johann Wilhelm Weinmann became a leading botanist of his era. His magnum opus, Phytanthoza Iconographia, was one of the first extensive illustrated plant encyclopedias. The work featured hundreds of hand-colored engravings, setting a high standard for botanical illustration. Weinmann collaborated with skilled artists and engravers to document plant species from across Europe. His contributions advanced the study of taxonomy and natural history during the early Enlightenment. Phytanthoza Iconographia remains a valuable reference for historians of science and art collectors. He died in 1741 after leaving an indelible mark on botanical publishing and illustration.

Born in 1815, Hepburn traveled to Asia as a medical missionary, arriving in Japan in 1859. He co-founded Japan’s first modern hospital, teaching Western medicine to Japanese students. Hepburn’s most enduring contribution was his Japanese–English dictionary and the Hepburn romanization system, which standardized the transliteration of Japanese into the Latin alphabet. His linguistic work facilitated cultural exchange and helped Westerners learn Japanese pronunciation. After returning to the United States, he continued publishing revised editions of his dictionary. Hepburn’s blend of medical, religious, and scholarly pursuits had a lasting impact on Japan–West relations.

Born in 1825 in Christiania (now Oslo), Gude studied at the Düsseldorf Academy, where he became a leading figure of the Düsseldorf school of painting. His works, such as 'The Bridal Procession on the Hardangerfjord,' captured the sublime beauty of Scandinavian landscapes with meticulous detail and atmospheric light. Appointed professor at the Karlsruhe Academy in 1854, he influenced a generation of landscape artists. Later, he taught at the Berlin Academy, merging Norwegian naturalism with German Romanticism. Gude’s paintings played a key role in defining Norway’s national identity in art. He died in 1903, leaving a legacy as one of the foremost Nordic landscape painters.

Born in 1855 into a prominent Boston family, Lowell pursued studies in mathematics before turning to astronomy. In 1894, he established the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, to take advantage of clear skies and study planetary bodies. He popularized the idea of Mars canals, speculating about intelligent life on the planet, and searched for a trans-Neptunian planet, which later led to the discovery of Pluto. Lowell’s work combined rigorous observation with public engagement through his writings and lectures. Though some of his theories were later revised, his innovative approach advanced planetary science. He passed away in 1916, and his observatory remains an active research institution.

Born in Manchester, England, Roberts emigrated to the Utah Territory as a child. He became a leading historian of the Latter-day Saints, authoring the multi-volume 'Comprehensive History of the Church.' In politics, he served as Utah's delegate to the U.S. Congress, advocating for statehood and religious representation. A prominent leader in the LDS Church, he held high ecclesiastical office and shaped modern church scholarship. His work bridged religious history and public service, influencing both academia and politics. He remains a central figure in Latter-day Saint historiography and American political history.

John Hasbrouck Van Vleck was an American physicist and mathematician and Nobel Prize laureate recognized for his groundbreaking work in quantum mechanics. Born in 1899, he made seminal contributions to the understanding of the magnetic and electric properties of atoms and molecules. Van Vleck’s theories laid the foundation for modern solid-state physics and quantum chemistry. He shared the 1977 Nobel Prize in Physics for his development of the principles governing electronic magnetism. A dedicated educator, Van Vleck spent much of his career at Harvard University, mentoring future leaders in physics. He passed away in 1980, leaving a lasting legacy in theoretical physics.

Myrtle Bachelder earned her Ph.D. in chemistry in 1936 and joined the Women’s Army Corps in 1942. At Los Alamos, she worked on the Manhattan Project, analyzing plutonium and uranium isotopes critical to the atomic bomb’s development. Awarded the Bronze Star for her scientific contributions, she later served as a research chemist at the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory. Bachelder published influential papers on radiochemistry and advocated for the advancement of women in science and the military. Her pioneering work bridged military service and scientific innovation. She passed away in 1997.

Jacque Fresco was an American futurist and self-taught industrial designer who envisioned a sustainable future for humanity. He founded The Venus Project, proposing cities built with advanced technologies and resource-based economies to eliminate poverty and war. Fresco's innovative designs spanned architecture, transportation, and energy systems, blending aesthetics with functionality. Throughout his 100-year life, he authored books and appeared in documentaries discussing global problems and solutions. His bold ideas continue to influence thinkers and designers exploring the intersection of technology and social change.

Born in Rabat in 1933, Mahdi Elmandjra earned his doctorate in sociology and became a leading voice on the future of development and culture. He held senior positions at UNESCO, advocating for a more inclusive global dialogue on education and social change. Elmandjra authored over thirty books addressing globalization, economic policy, and the dialogue of civilizations. His futurist analyses anticipated ecological challenges and the impact of rapid technological shifts. He challenged Western-centric views by promoting the significance of Arab and African perspectives in global affairs. Elmandjra remained active in international conferences and academic institutions until his death in 2014.

Born in 1941, Donella 'Dana' Meadows earned a Ph.D. in biophysics from Harvard University before joining the MIT project that produced the landmark report 'The Limits to Growth' in 1972. As a founding member of the Club of Rome, she brought rigorous systems analysis to debates on resource limits and sustainable development. Meadows taught environmental studies at Dartmouth College, where she emphasized the importance of feedback loops and leverage points in complex systems. She authored the influential paper 'Leverage Points: Places to Intervene in a System', guiding policymakers on strategic environmental actions. In 1995, she founded the Sustainability Institute (now the Donella Meadows Institute) to advance systems-thinking education. Through her writing, teaching, and advocacy, Meadows inspired a generation of environmentalists worldwide. She remained a leading voice in sustainability until her death in 2001.

Born in Michigan in 1942, Dave Cutler earned degrees in mathematics and computer science. He led the development of the VAX/VMS operating system at Digital Equipment Corporation. In the late 1980s, he was recruited by Microsoft where he spearheaded the design of Windows NT. His architecture laid the foundation for modern Windows operating systems used worldwide. Cutler has received numerous awards including the National Medal of Technology for his contributions. He continues to influence the field of operating system design through his ongoing research and writings.