November 17

Born in 1095 into a noble family in Shaizar, Syria. He served as a diplomat and military leader under the Munqidh dynasty. Usama authored 'Kitab al-I'tibar,' a vivid collection of anecdotes from Muslim-Christian encounters. His writings blend political narrative, personal reflection, and sharp wit. He traveled widely across the Islamic world and interacted with Crusader nobles. He died in 1188, leaving a unique historical and literary legacy of the Crusades.

Born in 1710 into a farming family, Ferguson educated himself in mathematics and astronomy without formal schooling. He crafted his own telescopes and mechanical models to demonstrate celestial movements to both scholars and the public. In 1756 he published Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles, which became a widely used introduction to the subject. Ferguson toured Europe giving lectures and displaying his instruments to royal audiences, earning patronage from monarchs. His engaging writings and demonstrations helped popularize astronomy during the Enlightenment. He died in 1776, leaving a legacy as a pioneering communicator of science.

Born in 1813 in New York City, James McCune Smith studied medicine at the University of Glasgow, becoming the first African American to receive an MD. Returning to the United States, he established a medical practice in New York and provided free care to the African American community. A prolific writer, he contributed essays and articles to abolitionist publications such as The North Star. His scholarly work challenged scientific racism and advocated for civil rights. Smith’s achievements laid groundwork for future generations of African American professionals.

Herman Hollerith was an American statistician whose inventions revolutionized data processing. Born in 1860, he invented the electric tabulating machine utilizing punch cards to process census data faster and more accurately. His technology dramatically reduced the time needed to compile statistics for the 1890 U.S. Census. In 1896, he founded the Tabulating Machine Company, which later became part of IBM. Hollerith's innovations laid the groundwork for modern computing and data storage techniques. He is often recognized as a pioneer in the history of information technology.

Raymond Pearl was an American biologist and pioneer in the application of statistics to biological research. Born in 1879, he conducted groundbreaking studies on population growth and metabolism. Pearl authored The Biology of Population Growth, introducing quantitative methods into ecology and demography. He served as the head of the Division of Biological Survey at Johns Hopkins University. Pearl's collaborations with statistician Karl Pearson helped establish the field of biometry. His work laid the foundation for modern statistical analysis in genetics and ecology.

Victor Serge was a Russian writer, historian, and political activist born in 1890. He participated in the 1905 Russian Revolution and later chronicled his experiences in prison and exile. Serge's novels, including Men in Prison and The Case of Comrade Tulayev, offer vivid portrayals of Soviet life. His works combine historical analysis with literary craftsmanship, bridging scholarship and creativity. Despite persecution under Stalin, he continued to write and critique totalitarianism from exile in France. Serge's legacy endures as a unique voice in 20th-century literature and revolutionary history.

Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani (December 12, 1880 – November 17, 1976) was a Bengali scholar and influential political leader in British India and East Pakistan. Nicknamed the “Red Maulana” for his commitment to social justice, he championed the rights of peasants and rural workers. Bhashani co-founded the Awami Muslim League in 1949, laying the groundwork for Bangladesh's independence movement. He later established the National Awami Party, advocating land reform and poverty alleviation. Renowned for his austere lifestyle and grassroots activism, he held massive peasant rallies across Bengal. His unwavering dedication to secular and leftist ideals inspired generations of political activists. Bhashani's legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and empowerment for marginalized communities.

Born in 1915 in New York City, Hofstadter earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1937. He conducted groundbreaking experiments at Stanford University on electron scattering that revealed the internal charge distribution of the nucleus. These contributions led to his receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1961. Beyond his research, he was a dedicated educator and served as chair of Stanford’s physics department. Hofstadter also played a key role in the development of research facilities like the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. He continued to mentor generations of physicists until his death in 1990.

Born in 1904 in Lyon, France, Néel studied at École Normale Supérieure and earned his doctorate in physics. He pioneered the theoretical framework for antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials, introducing the concept of the Néel temperature. Néel’s work laid the foundation for modern solid-state physics and magnetic storage technologies. He served as director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). In 1970, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his fundamental contributions to understanding magnetism. Néel continued to influence the field through teaching and publications until his death in 2000.

Patrick Suppes was born in New York City and received his doctorate from the University of Chicago. He joined Stanford University in 1950 and became a leading figure in the philosophy of science and mathematical psychology. Suppes introduced formal approaches to measurement theory, providing a rigorous mathematical foundation for behavioral research. He authored influential texts on decision theory, semantics, and probabilistic models of cognition. At Stanford, he helped establish interdisciplinary programs bridging psychology, computer science, and linguistics. Throughout his career, he mentored generations of scholars and shaped the emerging field of cognitive science. Suppes remained active in research and teaching until his death on November 17, 2014, leaving a lasting interdisciplinary legacy.