May 04

Born in 1733, Borda served in the French navy and later became a professor of mathematics.\nHe made significant contributions to fluid mechanics and precision instrumentation.\nBorda invented devices like the repeating circle for surveying and naval navigation.\nIn 1770, he proposed the Borda count, an influential ranked voting system.\nHe helped standardize measurements in France and contributed to the decimal metric system.\nBorda died in 1799, his work bridging science, mathematics, and naval engineering.

William H. Prescott (1796–1859) overcame visual impairment to become one of America’s first distinguished historians. His seminal works, 'History of the Conquest of Mexico' and 'History of the Conquest of Peru,' combined meticulous research with engaging narrative. He also authored detailed studies on Ferdinand and Isabella, illuminating the Spanish monarchy’s influence on Europe. Prescott’s scholarship set new standards for historical writing in the 19th century, blending primary sources with accessible prose. Despite losing vision in one eye, he conducted extensive archival research across Europe. His works remain foundational in the study of Spanish colonial history.

Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–1895) was a pioneering English biologist and anatomist who championed Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. He conducted groundbreaking comparative anatomy research, notably on vertebrates, and promoted science education for all. Huxley’s public debates and essays helped popularize evolutionary biology in Victorian society and beyond. He served as President of the Royal Society and played a key role in establishing what became the Natural History Museum. Also a prolific lecturer, he professionalized science education and advocated for rigorous training of researchers. Huxley’s writings and advocacy significantly shaped modern biological thought and scientific methodology.

Augustus Le Plongeon was an English-American historian and photographer best known for his explorations of ancient Maya sites in the Yucatán Peninsula. Beginning in the 1870s, he captured some of the earliest detailed photographs of Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, documenting their architecture and inscriptions. He developed pioneering theories on Maya civilization and published extensive writings on his findings. Le Plongeon also founded a small archaeological institute to support further research. Despite his contributions, many of his ideas were later challenged, yet his visual records remain invaluable to Mesoamerican studies.

Eugenie Clark was an American ichthyologist and marine biologist who pioneered shark research. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and founded the Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida. Clark conducted daring underwater expeditions and used innovative diving techniques to observe sea life. Her studies challenged misconceptions about sharks and highlighted their ecological importance. She authored several books and appeared in documentaries to promote marine conservation. Her work earned her international recognition and inspired generations of ocean researchers.