Charles Marie de La Condamine
French mathematician and geographer
Born
January 28th, 1701
324 years ago
Died
February 4th, 1774
251 years ago — 73 years old
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
France
Links & References
Born in 1701, contributed to mathematics and geography during the Age of Enlightenment. Participated in the expedition to measure the degrees of the meridian at the equator, leading to important geographical findings. Conducted extensive studies on the Amazon River and its ecology. Authored works that facilitated the understanding of measurements and navigation.
Measured the degrees of the meridian at the equator
Conducted research on the Amazon River
Published significant geographical and mathematical studies
Other People Born on January 28th
George Hamilton-Gordon
A Scottish politician served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1852 to 1855. During this period, faced significant challenges, including the Crimean War. Known for forming a coalition government and for leading the country through one of its most contentious conflicts. Contributed to the establishment of the modern Conservative Party and engaged in various reforms. Held a prominent role in domestic and foreign affairs, shaping policies that influenced the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century.
Continue ReadingLoren Legarda
A prominent journalist and politician, served as a Senator in the Philippines. Played a crucial role in environmental advocacy and disaster risk reduction legislation. Elected multiple times as a Senator and held various positions in government. Also served as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Hosted a television show focused on environmental issues and cultural heritage.
Continue ReadingValentin Kataev
A significant literary figure, contributed to Russian literature through novels and plays. Gained recognition for the novel 'The Suicide', which reflects the social and political landscape of the time. Worked as a playwright, creating works that were performed in theaters. Engaged in journalism and wrote essays, reflecting on contemporary issues during the 20th century. Served in the Red Army during World War II, documenting experiences through writings.
Continue ReadingJulián Felipe
A composer and educator from the Philippines, contributed significantly to the nation's musical heritage. Composed the music for the national anthem, 'Lupang Hinirang,' which was originally adapted from the song 'Marcha Nacional Filipina.' Engaged in various educational endeavors, promoting music as an essential part of Philippine culture. His works reflect the nationalistic sentiments prevalent during his time, especially during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule.
Continue ReadingJ. Cole
Born on January 28, 1985, this individual gained recognition in the hip-hop community for blending personal storytelling with social critique in music. The journey began with the release of a mixtape, 'The Come Up', followed by 'The Warm Up', which garnered attention from major labels. The debut studio album, 'Cole World: The Sideline Story', debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. Over the years, his works addressed themes of ambition, mental health, and the struggles of life. Collaborations with artists such as Kendrick Lamar and contributions to Jay-Z's projects have solidified a prominent position in contemporary rap. A committed advocate for community development, he launched the Dreamville Foundation and is involved in various philanthropic efforts.
Continue ReadingNicolas Sarkozy
Served as the 23rd President of France from 2007 to 2012. Held the position of Minister of Interior prior to presidency, implementing significant reforms in immigration and security policies. Introduced the 'Working More to Earn More' policy which aimed at encouraging employment through financial incentives. Played a key role in the European response to the global financial crisis in 2008. Engaged in various foreign policy initiatives, including the mediation of conflicts in the Caucasus and actively participated in NATO discussions.
Continue ReadingOther People Who Died on February 4th
István Csurka
Worked as a journalist and served as a prominent member of the Hungarian political landscape. Played a crucial role in the Hungarian political scene during the transformation period of the 1980s and 1990s. Co-founded the Hungarian Justice and Life Party in 1993 and represented the party in the National Assembly for several terms. Csurka was a vocal critic of the post-communist government and advocated for national issues throughout his career. His writings reflected his political views and significantly influenced public discourse.
Continue ReadingGioseffo Zarlino
Contributions to music theory during the Renaissance period included works that systematized the understanding of harmony and counterpoint. Significant writings include 'Le istitutioni harmoniche', which established fundamental principles of tonal music. Zarlino served as a director of music at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and was influential in the transition from medieval to modern music theory. His theoretical approaches had lasting effects on later composers and theorists.
Continue ReadingDonald Byrd
A prominent figure in jazz music, this trumpet player emerged in the 1950s and contributed significantly to the genre. Active from the bebop era, collaborated with numerous artists and bands, showcasing a unique style that blended hard bop with elements of funk and soul. Recorded numerous albums throughout a prolific career, with 'A New Perspective' being one of the notable works. Served as a professor at various institutions, influencing future generations of musicians. Continued to perform until the later years of life, maintaining a presence in the jazz community until passing in 2013.
Continue ReadingGeorg Konrad Morgen
A lawyer and judge in Nazi Germany, played a significant role in the prosecution of war crimes during the Third Reich. Morgen served as a judge in military courts and investigated cases of corruption and atrocities committed in concentration camps. His notable trials included cases against camp personnel, where he sought to establish accountability for the crimes against humanity that occurred under the regime's directives. After the war, his efforts to uphold judicial integrity within the Nazi legal framework distinguished his career.
Continue ReadingÉtienne-Louis Boullée
An influential French architect and educator, a key figure in the evolution of neoclassicism during the 18th century. Boullée proposed grand architectural concepts characterized by monumental simplicity and clarity of form. His designs often included vast interiors and symbolic architecture, meant to evoke strong emotions. Although many of his projects remained unbuilt, they significantly influenced architectural theory and practice. Boullée's work centered on the idea of architecture as a form of art rather than merely a functional craft. His writings, particularly 'Architecture, essai sur l'art', conveyed his vision of a new aesthetic in architecture that combined beauty and proportion. Several of his most notable projects included the Cenotaph for Isaac Newton, which exemplified his innovative approach to space and light.
Continue ReadingPatricia Highsmith
Born in 1921, a prominent figure in American literature, known for psychological thrillers that explore themes of morality and identity. Achieved recognition with the publication of "Strangers on a Train" in 1950, which established a new genre of suspense fiction. The creation of the character Tom Ripley in the novel "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1955) further solidified a legacy in thriller writing. Highsmith's works often featured complex characters and moral ambiguity, influencing the genre significantly throughout her career. Her writing style and innovative plot techniques garnered critical acclaim, leading to several adaptations of her novels into films, thereby reaching wider audiences.
Continue Reading