October 03

Born in 1716 in Mondovì, Beccaria became a professor of experimental physics at the University of Turin. He conducted groundbreaking experiments on static electricity, building on the work of Benjamin Franklin. His studies on atmospheric phenomena led to early understanding of thunderstorms and electrical charges. He published influential treatises that advanced the scientific method in Italy. Beccaria was elected to several European academies and advised the Sardinian court on technological innovations. He died in 1781, remembered as one of the leading figures in 18th-century European science.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Bancroft graduated from Harvard College and studied in Germany. He authored the multi-volume "History of the United States from the Discovery of the American Continent", a seminal work that shaped national identity. As Secretary of the Navy under President Polk, he founded the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1845. Later he served as U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom and to the German Confederation, promoting American interests abroad. Bancroft's contributions to historiography and naval education left a lasting legacy in American scholarship and military affairs.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Putnam graduated from Harvard College and Harvard Medical School. He trained in Europe under Jean-Martin Charcot in Paris and studied at the University of Würzburg. In 1875, he was among the founding members of the American Neurological Association. Putnam became a professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and influenced the development of neurological education in America. He conducted research on hysteria, neural pathways, and psychological disorders and published numerous scholarly articles. A mentor to prominent neurologists, he played a key role in establishing neurology as a distinct medical discipline.

Dr. Atl, born Gerardo Murillo Coronado in 1875, was a pioneering Mexican artist and writer. He adopted the pseudonym Dr. Atl, meaning “water” in the Nahuatl language, to reflect his deep connection to nature. Murillo was a key figure in the Mexican muralism movement and produced vivid paintings and prints of volcanoes, particularly Popocatépetl. In addition to his art, he conducted scientific observations of volcanic activity and authored books on his findings. Dr. Atl also taught at art academies and influenced a generation of Mexican artists, including Diego Rivera. His fusion of scientific inquiry and artistic vision left a lasting mark on Mexican culture.

Born in Potsdam, Adolf Reichwein pursued studies in economics and sociology before becoming a respected educator. He introduced innovative, student-centered learning methods and co-founded the Deutsche Freie Hochschule. During World War II, Reichwein joined the German Resistance and participated in the 20 July plot to overthrow Hitler. Arrested in 1944, he was executed by the Nazi regime for his involvement. His educational theories emphasized experiential learning and cultural history. Reichwein's courage and intellectual legacy continue to inspire educators and historians.

James M. Buchanan was born on October 3, 1919, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before studying economics at the University of Chicago and Columbia University. Buchanan co-authored "The Calculus of Consent", laying the foundations of public choice theory, applying economic analysis to political behavior. His work challenged traditional views of collective decision-making, earning him the 1986 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Throughout his career, he taught at institutions including George Mason University and the University of Virginia, influencing generations of scholars. Buchanan's insights into constitutional economics continue to shape debates on governance and public policy. He passed away in 2013, leaving a profound legacy in economic thought.

Born in Comox, British Columbia, in 1938, Jack Hodgins established himself as a prominent Canadian author with works like The Invention of the World and Broken Ground. His narratives weave local history, nature, and folklore, capturing the spirit of West Coast communities. As a professor of creative writing at the University of Victoria, Hodgins mentored emerging writers and edited influential anthologies. He received the Marian Engel Award and multiple Governor General's Award nominations. Through teaching and literary contributions, Hodgins has shaped Canada's literary landscape while continuing to publish evocative fiction.

Nicolae Șerban Tanașoca was a distinguished Romanian historian, philologist and member of the Romanian Academy whose scholarship bridged Byzantine studies, Balkan cultural history and classical philology. He authored over thirty books and numerous articles exploring medieval Eastern Orthodoxy, South Slavic communities and Latin literature. Tanașoca founded the Center for Byzantine and Balkan Studies in Bucharest and held academic positions at several universities. His interdisciplinary research combined historical analysis with linguistic insight, earning him international recognition. He also served on national cultural preservation committees and advocated for the protection of Romania’s historical heritage. Tanașoca passed away in 2017, leaving a rich academic legacy.

Pierre Deligne is a Belgian mathematician celebrated for his proof of the Weil conjectures, a milestone that reshaped algebraic geometry. He received the Fields Medal in 1978 for this work and has contributed to the theory of motives, Hodge theory, and etale cohomology. Deligne has held prestigious positions at the Institute des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques and Princeton University. His research continues to influence the direction of arithmetic geometry and inspire mathematicians worldwide.

Jo Ritzen is a Dutch academic and public servant who led the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science for nearly a decade. Prior to his ministerial role, he was a professor of economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam. As minister, he introduced major reforms in higher education funding, expanded international student exchange programs, and championed research innovation. After government service, Ritzen became President of Maastricht University and later served as OECD Special Representative for Global Education.

Kathryn D. Sullivan made history in 1984 as the first American woman to perform a spacewalk during the STS-41-G mission. Born in 1951, she earned a Ph.D. in geology before joining NASA's astronaut corps in 1978. Sullivan flew on three Space Shuttle missions, including STS-31, which deployed the Hubble Space Telescope. After her NASA career, she served as Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator of NOAA. Sullivan's contributions to earth sciences and space exploration have been widely recognized. Her trailblazing achievements continue to inspire women in STEM fields.

Moshe Kam has dedicated his career to advancing engineering education and research in electrical engineering and computer science. Born October 3, 1955, he has taught undergraduate and graduate courses, developing innovative curricula that bridge theory and practical application. His research focuses on digital signal processing and reconfigurable computing architectures, with numerous publications in leading engineering journals. Kam has served on editorial boards of technical magazines and organized international conferences, fostering collaboration among scholars. Through mentorship and academic leadership, he has guided many students who have gone on to notable careers in academia and industry.