Discoverers

Saint Kevin is honored as the founder and first abbot of Glendalough in County Wicklow, Ireland. He is celebrated for his commitment to a life of prayer, solitude, and spiritual contemplation. Under his guidance, Glendalough flourished as a prominent hub of education and monasticism during early medieval times. Saint Kevin's influence as a spiritual mentor and advisor remains a source of inspiration for many individuals pursuing a more profound spiritual connection and a contemplative lifestyle.

John O'Keefe is a renowned American-British neuroscientist, psychologist, and professor recognized for his groundbreaking discovery of place cells in the hippocampus and their temporal coding through theta phase precession. He currently holds a professorship at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour at University College London. In 2014, O'Keefe was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his significant contributions to the field. Additionally, he has received various other accolades and holds a part-time chair at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Hans Poulsen Egede was a Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary celebrated as the Apostle of Greenland. He led effective mission campaigns in Greenland, reaching out to the Inuit people and reigniting Dano-Norwegian engagement with the island after centuries of disconnect. Egede's founding of Godthåb, later known as Nuuk, became Greenland's capital and left a lasting impact on the cultural and religious life of the area. His missionary endeavors and establishment of communities were pivotal in shaping Greenland's history and progress.

Paul Hermann Müller, also known as Pauly Mueller, was a Swiss chemist celebrated for his crucial advancements in insecticides. He received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1948 for his breakthrough in discovering and utilizing DDT's insecticidal properties to combat diseases spread by vectors such as malaria and yellow fever. Müller's findings transformed pest control strategies and significantly influenced global public health efforts by aiding in the prevention of deadly diseases transmitted by insects.

Hormuzd Rassam was a well-known Assyriologist and author recognized for his important archaeological findings, including the clay tablets holding the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known literary works. He is acknowledged as the first Middle Eastern and Assyrian archaeologist from the Ottoman Empire. Rassam relocated to the United Kingdom, became a British citizen, and made Brighton his home. Apart from his archaeological endeavors, he served as a diplomat for the government, notably contributing to the release of British diplomats held captive in Ethiopia.

Percivall Pott was a pioneering English surgeon known for his significant advancements in orthopaedics and cancer research. He was the first to suggest that environmental factors could trigger cancer, notably linking it to chimney sweeps' carcinoma. Pott's enduring influence is evident in various medical conditions named after him, including Pott's fracture, Pott's disease of the spine, and Pott's puffy tumor. His groundbreaking work not only raised the profile of surgeons in society but also laid the foundation for progress in the field of medical science.

Kiyoshi Shiga was a prominent Japanese physician and bacteriologist recognized for his groundbreaking discoveries in microbiology. He identified the Shigella dysenteriae microorganism and its toxin, known as the Shiga toxin. His research also contributed to advancements in bacteriology and immunology relating to diseases like tuberculosis and trypanosomiasis. Shiga's comprehensive education and career laid the groundwork for numerous scientific breakthroughs, establishing him as a pioneer in the field of medicine.

Bernard Courtois, a French chemist, is renowned for isolating iodine, a breakthrough that revolutionized early photography. He played a vital role during the Napoleonic Wars by extracting potassium nitrate from seaweed due to the scarcity of wood ashes. Through his accidental discovery of iodine in seaweed ash, he facilitated the production of superior-quality iodine and its salts. Esteemed by leading scientists, Courtois was acknowledged for the valuable medicinal properties of iodine. Despite facing financial challenges, his lasting impact on the fields of chemistry and medicine is noteworthy.

Kazimierz Fajans, a distinguished Polish American physical chemist, is celebrated for his significant contributions to the study of radioactivity. His pivotal role in the identification of the chemical element protactinium and his groundbreaking research into the behavior and properties of radioactive substances have left an indelible mark on the field of science. Fajans' pioneering work in radioactivity has not only advanced our understanding of this phenomenon but has also paved the way for further exploration and discoveries in this area. His expertise and unwavering dedication have established him as a prominent figure in the study of chemical elements and their interactions.

Aurel Boleslav Stodola was a Slovak engineer, physicist, and inventor acclaimed for his groundbreaking contributions to technical thermodynamics and steam turbine design. In his influential 1903 book "Die Dampfturbine," he examined turbine design, fluid flow, stress analysis, and vibration. Stodola established the Laboratory for Energy Conversion at the Swiss Polytechnical Institute in Zurich, where he held a professorship. Throughout his career, he maintained a close relationship with the renowned physicist Albert Einstein.

Peiresc, a renowned French astronomer, antiquary, and savant, was highly respected for his vast correspondence with fellow scientists and expertise in coordinating scientific inquiries. He made important contributions to astronomy by studying longitude variations in Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. His research significantly advanced astronomical understanding during his era, and his commitment to scientific exploration and collaborations with other scholars left a lasting impact on the field of astronomy.

Fausto Elhuyar, a Spanish chemist, achieved fame for isolating tungsten with his brother Juan José Elhuyar in 1783. He was instrumental in establishing the School of Mines in Mexico City under a commission from the King of Spain. Elhuyar supervised the construction of the Palacio de Minería to serve as the school's headquarters. His career was marked by significant contributions to chemistry and involvement in scientific pursuits during his tenure in Mexico until he departed due to the Mexican War of Independence.

Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac was a Swiss chemist acclaimed for his advancements in inorganic chemistry. His contributions include significant progress in the study of atomic weights, identification of isotopes, and packing fraction of nuclei. Through his work with rare earth elements, Marignac discovered ytterbium and co-discovered gadolinium. He also conducted meticulous research on the isomorphism of fluostannates and fluosilicates, as well as the separation of niobium and tantalum. Additionally, his studies in physical chemistry encompassed investigations into thermal effects, variations in specific heat, and phenomena of liquid diffusion.

Joseph Charles Farman was a British geophysicist who worked with the British Antarctic Survey. Alongside Brian Gardiner and Jon Shanklin, he discovered the ozone hole over Antarctica in May 1985 using Dobson ozone spectrophotometers. Farman's research significantly raised awareness about ozone layer depletion and its potential effects on the Earth's climate and ecosystems.

Anders Gustav Ekeberg, a Swedish analytical chemist, is renowned for his 1802 discovery of tantalum. Despite his deafness, Ekeberg made notable contributions to chemistry. His research on chemical elements and compounds led to significant discoveries and advancements in the field, shaping the understanding of chemistry during his era. Ekeberg's work remains highly regarded for its historical significance in the realm of science.