March 28

John Amos Comenius (1592–1670) was a Czech philosopher and theologian who is often called the Father of Modern Education. As a bishop of the Moravian Church, he sought to reform both religious practice and educational methods, promoting learning for all children regardless of class or gender. His educational treatise Didactica Magna introduced concepts such as structured curriculum and visual aids, laying foundations for modern pedagogy. Exiled during the Thirty Years' War, he lectured across Europe and influenced educational thinkers from Sweden to England. Comenius believed education should foster moral and intellectual development, earning him a lasting reputation as a pioneer of universal schooling and progressive teaching methods.

Frederik Ruysch (1638–1731) was a pioneering Dutch scientist and anatomist famous for his elaborate preservation techniques. Working in Amsterdam, he developed innovative methods using wax and glue to create lifelike anatomical specimens, which he displayed in his private museum. Ruysch's work advanced understanding of human and botanical anatomy, including the lymphatic system, earning him recognition by scientific academies across Europe. His macabre yet artistic exhibits attracted visitors from royalty to scholars, blending science and artistry. Ruysch also contributed to surgery and obstetrics through his detailed studies of the human body. His legacy influenced future generations of anatomists and remains a landmark in the history of medical visualization.

Born in 1793, Henry Schoolcraft was an American geographer, geologist, and ethnologist whose work laid the foundation for the scientific study of Native American languages and customs. He led numerous expeditions across the Great Lakes region, mapping the source of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in 1832. Schoolcraft married Jane Johnston, a woman of Ojibwe descent, and collaborated with her on linguistic research and folklore. His publications, including detailed maps and ethnographic accounts, influenced both policymakers and fellow scholars. As superintendent of Indian Affairs, he advocated for more humane government policies toward indigenous peoples, leaving a lasting impact on American anthropology and geography.

Georg Heinrich Pertz, born in 1795, was a German historian whose critical editions of medieval and early modern sources transformed the study of German history. As the founding editor of the Monumenta Germaniae Historica, he organized and published essential documents from the early Middle Ages to the modern era. Pertz worked at the Prussian Academy of Sciences and later served as its director, overseeing rigorous scholarly standards. His systematic approach to source criticism influenced generations of historians. Beyond editing, he authored biographical and editorial prefaces that contextualized complex historical records for scholars across Europe.

Born in 1806, Thomas Hare was an English lawyer whose pioneering work in electoral reform introduced the single transferable vote (STV) system. His 1859 book, 'The Machinery of Representation', outlined methods for fair and proportional representation in elections. Hare’s proposals aimed to reduce wasted votes and represent minority opinions within legislative bodies. His ideas influenced voting reforms in Ireland, Australia, and beyond. Although initially controversial, the STV system remains in use today in several countries, cementing Hare’s legacy in democratic theory and practice.

Born in 1819, Sir Joseph Bazalgette served as chief engineer of the Metropolitan Board of Works and tackled London’s devastating cholera outbreaks. He designed over 1,100 miles of sewers, redirecting waste away from the Thames and preventing future epidemics. His construction of the Victoria, Albert, and Chelsea Embankments reshaped the city’s riverfront and provided new transportation routes. Bazalgette’s innovative flood defenses and pumping stations became models for modern sanitation engineering worldwide. His work not only saved countless lives but also laid the foundation for contemporary urban infrastructure projects.

Born Eduard Schnitzer in 1840 in Prussia, Emin Pasha trained as a physician and served in various medical posts across the Ottoman Empire. In 1878, he was appointed Governor of Equatoria, a remote province in present-day South Sudan. During his tenure, he implemented administrative reforms and advanced medical care in the region. His isolated governorship attracted support missions, including the famous Emin Pasha Relief Expedition led by Henry Morton Stanley. He authored reports on tropical diseases and African cultures. After returning to Europe briefly, he embarked on further expeditions before his death in 1892. Emin Pasha’s legacy includes his contributions to colonial administration and tropical medicine.

Gyula Farkas was born in 1847 in Hungary. He studied mathematics and physics, earning a doctorate with work on analytic mechanics. His most famous contribution, Farkas' lemma, became a fundamental result in linear programming and convex analysis. Farkas also published research in thermodynamics and theoretical physics. He served as a professor at the University of Budapest, mentoring a generation of scholars. His work helped lay the groundwork for modern optimization theory. He remained active in academic research until his death in 1930.

James Darmesteter was born in Paris in 1849 and studied at the École Normale Supérieure. He became a leading orientalist, specializing in ancient Iranian religions and languages. Darmesteter’s critical editions and translations of the Avesta opened European scholarship to Zoroastrian texts. In 1889, he was appointed professor at the Collège de France, where he taught Iranian philology. His works combined rigorous textual analysis with cultural history. He founded the Revue de l’Histoire des Religions, shaping comparative religion studies. Darmesteter’s scholarship had a lasting impact until his death in 1894.

Born in Ghent, Corneille Heymans followed his father's footsteps into medical research and joined the University of Ghent faculty. His pioneering experiments revealed the chemoreceptive functions of the carotid and aortic bodies in sensing blood gases. In 1938, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for elucidating the mechanisms by which blood pressure and oxygen levels influence respiratory rate. His findings laid the groundwork for modern cardiovascular and respiratory physiology. Heymans authored influential textbooks and mentored generations of scientists across Europe. Despite the challenges of World War II, he maintained his research and academic leadership. His work continues to inform clinical approaches to heart and lung disorders. He died in 1968, leaving a legacy of rigorous experimentation and education.

Born in Carthage, Missouri, Marlin Perkins began his career in zoo management before becoming a beloved television personality. In 1963 he launched Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, bringing wildlife conservation into living rooms across America. His engaging storytelling and on-location filming set a new standard for nature programming. Perkins won several Emmy Awards for his educational work and inspired generations to appreciate the natural world. Beyond television, he authored books and lectured extensively on animal behavior and preservation. His legacy endures in modern wildlife documentaries that build on his pioneering approach.

Dorothy Knowles pursued her passion for literature and sport throughout her life, producing works that explored cultural identity and human resilience. As a fencer, she competed at national level events, demonstrating discipline and strategic skill. In academia, she lectured on English literature at prominent universities, mentoring students and publishing critical essays. Her dual career highlighted the interplay between physical rigor and intellectual inquiry. Through her writing and teaching, Knowles left a diverse legacy that continues to inspire in both literary and athletic circles.