November 12

Friedrich Hoffmann (1660-1742) was a pioneering German physician and professor at the University of Halle. He introduced Hoffmann's drops, a widely used medicinal tonic in the 18th century. His research spanned iatrochemistry, anatomy, and clinical practice. Hoffmann authored influential textbooks that shaped medical education across Europe. He emphasized the chemical basis of bodily functions, foreshadowing modern pharmacology.

Jean Sylvain Bailly (1736-1793) was a French astronomer and mathematician renowned for his work on celestial mechanics. He collaborated on studies of Halley's Comet and early mapping of lunar motion. Elected to the Estates-General, he became the first mayor of Paris in 1789. Despite his revolutionary credentials, he opposed the radical turn of events. Arrested during the Reign of Terror, he was guillotined in 1793. Bailly's life bridged Enlightenment science and early revolutionary politics.

William Christopher Zeise (1789-1847) was a pioneering Danish chemist. In 1827, he synthesized Zeise's salt, marking a milestone in organometallic chemistry. His work laid foundations for later discoveries in coordination chemistry. Zeise studied under Hans Christian Ørsted and became a professor at the University of Copenhagen. His research influenced industrial applications of metal-organic compounds.

William Henry Barlow was a prominent English civil engineer best known for his work on the Midland Railway and the design of the train shed at St Pancras Station in London. Born in 1812, he rose to become Chief Engineer of the Midland Railway. His innovative approaches to iron structures and tunneling techniques influenced railway engineering worldwide. He was involved in significant projects such as the Severn Tunnel and various bridges across the UK. Knighted for his contributions to engineering, Barlow also served as President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. His legacy endures in the iconic Victorian-era railway architecture he helped create.

Percival Lowell was an influential American astronomer who established the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1894. Born in 1855, he is best known for his theories about Martian canals and the possibility of life on Mars. Lowell conducted extensive observational studies of the night sky and published several popular books to bring astronomy to a wider audience. He famously hypothesized the existence of a ninth planet, which later led to the discovery of Pluto. His work helped shape public interest in planetary science, despite controversy among his peers. Lowell's legacy includes his contributions to observational astronomy and the ongoing research at the institution he founded.

Norman Bethune was a Canadian thoracic surgeon born in 1890 who became famous for his selfless medical service and humanitarian efforts. He introduced mobile blood transfusion units during the Spanish Civil War, bringing critical care to front-line troops. Bethune later traveled to China, where he worked with the Communist forces during the Second Sino-Japanese War, establishing field hospitals and training local medical staff. He authored medical manuals to improve surgical procedures in resource-limited settings. Bethune's dedication to medical innovation and his commitment to serving civilians and soldiers alike made him a celebrated figure. His legacy endures through the widespread adoption of battlefield medical techniques and his portrayal as a hero in China.

Madan Mohan Malaviya was born in 1861 and emerged as a prominent leader in India's struggle for independence. He founded the Banaras Hindu University in 1916, which became one of Asia's largest residential universities. Malaviya was known for his advocacy of Hindu-Muslim unity, social reforms, and grassroots education. He served as President of the Indian National Congress on four occasions, shaping the political discourse of the early 20th century. A prolific writer and orator, he used his skills to mobilize public opinion and push for legislative reforms. His legacy lives on through the institutions he established and the moderate, inclusive vision he championed for a free India.

Sarah Wambaugh was born in 1882 and became the world’s foremost authority on plebiscites and electoral processes. She earned her Ph D in political science at Columbia University and joined the faculty there, pioneering empirical studies of popular votes. Wambaugh advised the League of Nations and later the United Nations on plebiscitary affairs, applying rigorous methodology to border disputes and self determination issues. Her seminal works including Plebiscites Since the World War remain key references in electoral law and political science. Wambaugh’s meticulous approach combined legal analysis with statistical insight, shaping how nations resolve contested sovereignty, and she passed away in 1955.

Mikhail Ilyich Gurevich graduated from the Kharkov Technological Institute with an engineering degree. In the early 1930s, he worked at the Dux aircraft factory in Moscow, building expertise in aeronautical design. In 1939, he partnered with Artem Mikoyan to establish the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau (MiG). Under his technical leadership, MiG produced famed jet fighters such as the MiG-15 and MiG-21. Gurevich's innovations helped the Soviet Union achieve air superiority during and after World War II. He was honored with multiple state awards for his contributions to military aviation technology. Gurevich died in 1976, leaving a legacy of groundbreaking aircraft design.

Born in 1938, Sally Shlaer made significant contributions to software engineering through her work on real-time computing and systems analysis. Alongside Stephen Mellor, she created the Shlaer–Mellor method, which advanced object-oriented design practices in the 1980s. Her methodology influenced the development of rigorous modeling techniques in both industry and academia. Shlaer also contributed to embedded systems applications for aerospace and defense projects. Remembered for her clarity of thought and educational impact, her legacy continues in modern software design frameworks.

Daniel N. Stern (1934–2012) was a pioneering developmental psychologist whose work transformed understanding of early childhood experience. His seminal book, The Interpersonal World of the Infant, introduced concepts such as 'present moment' and 'affect attunement'. Stern's observational research on mother-infant interactions highlighted the mutual regulation of emotions and the foundations of self-awareness. He held academic positions at the Universities of Geneva and Pittsburgh, mentoring scholars worldwide. His interdisciplinary approach bridged psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and clinical practice, influencing therapy and developmental theory. Stern's contributions continue to shape research on attachment, trauma, and psychotherapy.