April 06

Joachim Vadian was born in 1484 in St. Gallen and pursued studies in medicine and humanities at various European universities. A learned humanist, he became a professor of medicine and later served as city physician, earning a reputation for his erudition. During the Reformation, Vadian championed Protestant ideas and led the peaceful introduction of Reformist practices in St. Gallen. As mayor of the city from 1526, he oversaw administrative and religious transformations that aligned with his humanist principles. Vadian's writings covered topics from theology to classical literature, reflecting his diverse scholarly interests. He died in 1551, remembered as a driving force behind intellectual and religious renewal in his homeland.

Born around 1512 into a noble Scottish family, John Hamilton rose to prominence within the Catholic Church amid the tumult of the Reformation. He studied theology at continental universities before returning to Scotland, where he became known for his learning and diplomatic skills. Appointed Archbishop of St Andrews in 1551, Hamilton sought to defend Catholic interests against growing Protestant influence. He played a central role in religious debates and was deeply involved in the political dynamics of Mary, Queen of Scots' reign. An advocate for both ecclesiastical authority and scholarly pursuits, he maintained ties with European clergy and academics. Hamilton died in 1571, remembered for his steadfast defense of tradition and his contributions to Scottish religious scholarship.

John Stow (c. 1525–1605) was an English antiquarian, historian and topographer renowned for his work 'A Survey of London', first published in 1598. He compiled detailed accounts of the city's streets, churches and traditions by drawing on manuscripts, inscriptions and personal observation. His earlier work, 'The Summarie of Englyshe Chronicles', provided a comprehensive chronology of England's history. Stow's meticulous research preserved invaluable records of Tudor and Elizabethan London during a time of rapid change. His surveys remain foundational sources for scholars of early modern England.

David Blondel (1591–1655) was a French Protestant minister, historian and scholar known for pioneering a critical approach to ecclesiastical history. After studying in Saumur and Geneva, he served as pastor in southern France and later as professor of church history at the Academy of Sedan. Blondel challenged legends of medieval saints and exposed spurious traditions in works such as 'De nummo ecclesiasticorum'. His erudition and textual criticism earned him membership in the French Academy of Inscriptions. Blondel's rigorous scholarship laid foundational principles for modern historiography. He died in Geneva, leaving a legacy as one of the foremost Protestant intellectuals of his time.

Born in 1690, Rawlinson studied at St John's College, Oxford and was ordained in the Church of England. He developed a deep passion for collecting manuscripts, prints, coins, and rare books on ecclesiastical history. As a Fellow of the Royal Society, he engaged with leading scholars of his time. Throughout his life, he corresponded with antiquarians across Europe to build his collection. In his will, he donated over 5,000 manuscripts and thousands of books to the Bodleian Library in Oxford. His bequest became one of the most significant private library gifts of the 18th century and continues to support research on English church history.

Born in 1802 in Finnøy, Norway, Abel showed early talent in mathematics and published his first paper at age 23. He proved the impossibility of solving the general quintic equation by radicals, a result now known as Abel's theorem. Abel also laid the groundwork for group theory and advanced the study of elliptic functions. Despite struggling with poverty and health issues, he continued to produce profound research. His work gained recognition only shortly before his death from tuberculosis at age 26 in 1829. Abel's legacy endures in concepts such as Abelian groups and the Abel Prize, named in his honor.

Born in 1763 in Santos, José Bonifácio de Andrada studied natural sciences and mineralogy at the University of Coimbra. He authored important treatises on geology, botany, and philosophy, earning recognition as a leading scholar of his time. Returning to Brazil in 1819, he became the chief minister and advisor to Dom Pedro I. As the 'Patriarch of Independence,' he drafted the 1824 Brazilian Constitution and guided the young nation through its formative years. A gifted poet and translator, he contributed to literary circles and promoted education. He died in 1838, remembered as a founding father of modern Brazil whose intellectual and political achievements shaped the country's destiny.

Born in 1809 in York, South Carolina, Alvan Wentworth Chapman trained as a physician before turning his attention to botany. While practicing medicine in Apalachicola, Florida, he began collecting and cataloging native plant species. In 1860, he published Flora of the Southern United States, the first detailed work on southern flora and a foundational reference for American botany. Chapman's meticulous observations and taxonomic descriptions earned him recognition from scientific societies in Europe and America. He later served as a professor of botany at the University of South Carolina, where he inspired future generations of botanists. His pioneering contributions laid the groundwork for modern botanical research in the southeastern United States. He died in 1899, leaving a lasting legacy in natural science.

Herbert Backe was born in 1896 in Batumi, Georgia, and studied agronomy at the University of Göttingen. He joined the Nazi Party in 1928 and became a leading expert on agricultural policy within the regime. Appointed State Secretary in the Reich Ministry of Food and Agriculture in 1940, he was promoted to Reich Minister of Food and Agriculture in 1942. Backe played a central role in the implementation of the Hunger Plan, a policy designed to divert food from occupied territories to Germany, resulting in widespread famine and suffering. After Germany's defeat, he was apprehended by Allied forces and faced war crime charges. Backe committed suicide in his cell in 1947 before he could stand trial. His actions left a dark legacy at the intersection of science and state power.

Born in Warsaw in 1895, Mayer earned his doctorate in art history and focused on Islamic and Hebrew manuscript illumination. In the 1920s he moved to Palestine and joined the faculty of Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he became the first professor of Islamic art. He was instrumental in curating and cataloguing important collections of Middle Eastern ceramics and manuscripts. Mayer published numerous seminal works on Persian miniatures and calligraphy, shaping the field for future generations. His academic legacy endures through the students he mentored and the museums and departments he helped establish.

Born in Soignies, Belgium, in 1870, Bordet studied medicine at the Free University of Brussels. He later joined the Pasteur Institute in Paris, where he worked under Élie Metchnikoff. In 1896 he discovered the complement system and elucidated the role of antibodies in bacterial immunity. His groundbreaking research earned him the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1919. Bordet went on to direct the Pasteur Institute in Brussels and advanced serological diagnostics. He authored numerous publications that shaped modern microbiology and immunology. He continued his scientific work until his death in 1961, leaving a lasting impact on medical science.

Born in Kharkiv in 1897 into a family with a deep astronomical heritage, Struve emigrated to the United States after the Russian Revolution. He became a leading researcher at Yerkes Observatory, conducting pioneering spectroscopic studies of stars. In 1939 he founded the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas, overseeing the construction of its major telescopes. His research on binary star systems, stellar rotation, and interstellar matter shaped 20th-century astrophysics. Struve was renowned for his instrumental innovations and for mentoring a generation of astronomers. He served as president of the American Astronomical Society and received numerous honors. He remained active in research and observatory development until his death in 1963.