June 11

Born in 1723, Johann Georg Palitzsch was a German astronomer dedicated to careful sky observations. In 1758, he became the first person to observe the predicted return of Halley's Comet, confirming Edmond Halley’s theory. Palitzsch constructed his own telescopes and took meticulous notes, contributing valuable data to the study of comets. Although he worked outside of formal academic institutions, his findings earned him respect from Europe’s leading scientists of the day. He died in 1788, remembered as a pioneer who bridged amateur observation with scientific discovery.

Alexander Bain (1818–1903) was a Scottish philosopher and academic renowned for integrating empirical methods into the study of the mind. As Regius Professor of Logic and English Literature at the University of Aberdeen, he authored seminal texts such as "The Senses and the Intellect" and "The Emotions and the Will," which laid the groundwork for experimental psychology. Bain established one of the UK's earliest psychology laboratories, promoting a scientific approach to understanding mental processes. His writings on associationism and education influenced both philosophical discourse and teaching practices across Europe.

Johann Bauschinger (1834–1893) was a German mechanical engineer and physicist whose research on the properties of metals led to the identification of the Bauschinger effect. This phenomenon, describing the change in yield strength when materials are subjected to reverse loading, became fundamental in stress analysis and structural engineering. Bauschinger taught at the Technical University of Munich, where he conducted experiments on elasticity and strength of materials. His publications on mechanical behavior and testing methods significantly influenced the emerging field of materials science and guided industrial practices.

Carl von Linde (1842–1934) was a German engineer and professor whose innovations devised the Linde refrigeration cycle and revolutionized industrial gas production. In 1879, he founded the Linde Refrigeration Company, introducing mechanical refrigeration systems that transformed food preservation and beverage industries worldwide. His process for liquefying air enabled mass production of oxygen and nitrogen, fueling advancements in medicine and manufacturing. As a professor at the Technical University of Munich, Linde influenced generations of engineers. His groundbreaking work laid the foundation for contemporary cryogenics and industrial gas supply networks.

Charles Fabry was a French physicist and academic born in 1867. Alongside Alfred Pérot, he invented the Fabry–Pérot interferometer, a key instrument for high-resolution optical spectroscopy. Fabry's research with Henri Buisson led to the discovery of the Earth's ozone layer, an achievement fundamental to atmospheric science. He held professorships at the University of Marseille and the Collège de France, mentoring future generations of physicists. During World War I, his expertise in optics contributed to military range-finding technologies. Fabry was elected to the French Academy of Sciences and received numerous honors. He continued to advance the fields of optics and atmospheric physics until his death in 1945.

Alfred L. Kroeber was an influential anthropologist born in 1876. A protégé of Franz Boas, he established cultural anthropology as an academic discipline in the United States. At the University of California, Berkeley, Kroeber conducted extensive fieldwork among Native American tribes, documenting their languages, traditions, and myths. He is best known for his guardianship of Ishi, the last member of the Yahi people, whom he studied while advocating for his welfare. Serving as director of Berkeley's Museum of Anthropology, Kroeber expanded its collections and public outreach. He published foundational texts on cultural patterns and personality, shaping anthropological theory. Kroeber remained active in research and teaching until his death in 1960.

Natascha Artin Brunswick was born in 1909 in Germany and later emigrated to the United States. She made significant contributions to algebraic geometry and topology during her mathematical career. Artin Brunswick published research papers that advanced the understanding of algebraic structures. Alongside her academic work, she built a reputation as a skilled portrait photographer. Her photographs captured colleagues and prominent figures in the mathematics community with warmth and clarity. She held teaching positions at several universities, mentoring the next generation of scholars. Her dual passions for mathematics and photography illustrated her artistic and scientific versatility. Natascha Artin Brunswick's legacy endures through her published works and evocative photographic collections.

Jacques Cousteau was born in 1910 in France and became a pioneering marine explorer. He co-developed the Aqua-Lung in 1943, enabling extended underwater exploration. Cousteau's expeditions documented ocean life and raised global awareness of marine environments. He hosted the television series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau, reaching audiences worldwide. As founder of the Cousteau Society, he advocated for ocean conservation and sustainable use of sea resources. Cousteau authored numerous books and films that inspired generations to learn about the seas. His innovative techniques in underwater photography and filmmaking set new standards. He passed away in 1997, remembered as one of the 20th century's most influential explorers.

Born in 1912, he studied geography and meteorology at Tehran University. In 1955, he established the Iranian Meteorological Organization, serving as its first director. As a professor, he developed Iran's national weather forecasting network. He published influential textbooks on climatology and physical geography. His mentorship shaped the careers of prominent Iranian scientists. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 100.

Born in 1914 in Haarlem, Netherlands. He earned his medical degree from Leiden University in 1939. He served as a psychiatrist during World War II and developed interest in patient subjectivity. Appointed professor of psychiatry at Leiden in 1958. Authored seminal works on the phenomenology of normality and existential psychology. His theories influenced the fields of psychiatry and clinical psychology worldwide. He remained active in research and teaching until his death in 2012.

Born in 1915 in Chicago, Illinois. He earned his PhD in physics from the University of Chicago under Enrico Fermi. Worked on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Co-developed the Monte Carlo algorithm, revolutionizing computational physics. Later served as a division head at Argonne National Laboratory. He taught computer science and continued research into numerical methods. He died in 1999, leaving a legacy in scientific computing.

Born to diplomatic parents in Peru, Jean Sutherland Boggs earned her Ph.D. in art history and held professorships at leading universities. She became Director of the National Gallery of Canada, transforming its collections and exhibition programs. Later, she served as Assistant Deputy Minister for Culture and Communication, advising on national cultural policies. Throughout her career, she championed the international exchange of art and promoted accessibility to the arts for diverse audiences. Her publications on modern art and museum studies remain influential, and she continued consulting and mentoring museum professionals after retirement. Boggs was appointed to the Order of Canada for her lasting contributions to Canadian cultural life.