December 19

Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915) was a pioneering German psychiatrist and neuropathologist whose research revolutionized the understanding of cognitive disorders. While studying the case of patient Auguste Deter, he observed characteristic brain changes such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. His detailed reports in 1906 established Alzheimer’s disease as a distinct clinical condition. Alzheimer’s meticulous work in both clinical observation and histological techniques laid the groundwork for modern neuroscience and dementia research. His legacy endures in ongoing efforts to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease worldwide.

George Jackson Churchward (1857–1933) revolutionized railway engineering during his tenure as Chief Mechanical Engineer for the Great Western Railway. He introduced standardized design principles, superheated steam, and modern valve gear, leading to highly efficient and powerful locomotives like the Star and Castle classes. Churchward’s emphasis on simplicity and interchangeability influenced railway operations worldwide. His designs set new standards for performance and reliability in the early 20th century. Churchward’s legacy endures in the continued admiration for his innovative contributions to steam locomotive technology.

Paul Langevin was born in 1872 in Paris and became a leading figure in early 20th-century physics. He made seminal contributions to the understanding of diamagnetism and paramagnetism and derived the Langevin equation describing Brownian motion. As a professor at the Collège de France, he mentored a generation of scientists and published influential textbooks. Langevin also pioneered the development of anti-submarine sonar during World War I. A committed pacifist and anti-fascist, he was briefly imprisoned during World War II for his political convictions. After the war, he continued to advocate for scientific cooperation and served as president of several scientific societies. He died in 1946, leaving a lasting impact on theoretical and applied physics.

Robert Andrews Millikan was born in 1868 in Morrison, Illinois. He gained fame for his oil-drop experiment, which provided the first precise measurement of the electron's charge and confirmed the quantization of electric charge. For this work, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1923. Millikan served as a professor and later as president of the California Institute of Technology, shaping it into a leading research institution. He conducted pioneering studies in cosmic rays and photoelectricity and contributed to the development of modern physics education. Millikan also held a leadership role in the eugenics movement, reflecting the controversial scientific ideas of his time. He passed away in 1953, leaving a profound influence on twentieth-century physics.

Herbert Charles Brown was born in London and moved to the United States as a child. He studied chemistry at the University of Chicago and later taught at Purdue University. His groundbreaking research on organoboranes opened new pathways in organic synthesis. In 1979 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry jointly with Georg Wittig. Brown's contributions led to advances in pharmaceuticals, polymers, and industrial processes. He published over 400 scientific papers and mentored numerous students.

Carol Ann Chomsky was born in Philadelphia and earned her degrees at Harvard University. She specialized in child language development and published key research on how children learn language. She held academic positions at the University of Pennsylvania, where she taught linguistics and mentored students. Chomsky authored influential textbooks that shaped language education curricula. Her work bridged theoretical linguistics and practical teaching methods. She collaborated with researchers across disciplines and promoted early childhood literacy.

Winton Dean (1916–2013) was an English musicologist whose research focused on Baroque and 19th-century opera. He produced landmark monographs on George Frideric Handel's oratorios and comprehensive biographies of Giuseppe Verdi. Dean contributed extensively to Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians and served as editor of Music & Letters. His meticulous scholarship and clear prose made complex musical analysis accessible to performers and enthusiasts. He was honored with the Royal Philharmonic Society's Music Award for his services to musicology. Dean passed away on December 19, 2013, leaving an enduring impact on opera scholarship.