Born in 1824
Edmund Kirby Smith
Served as a general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Played a significant role in key battles, including the Battle of First Manassas and the Battle of Chattanooga. Commanded the Trans-Mississippi Department and led forces in various campaigns across the southern United States. After the war, worked as a professor and held administrative roles in higher education.
Continue ReadingLevi P. Morton
Served as the 22nd Vice President of the United States from 1889 to 1893 under President Benjamin Harrison. Initially involved in the banking sector, established a successful career as a financier. Contributed to various infrastructure projects, enhancing national growth. After his vice presidency, served as the U.S. Ambassador to France from 1894 to 1895, representing American interests abroad. Engaged in Republican politics and was active in public service throughout his career.
Continue ReadingWilhelm Hofmeister
Contributions to botany included foundational work on plant development and classification. Established the concept of alternation of generations in plant life cycles, influencing modern botanical studies. Conducted extensive research on the reproductive processes of ferns and other plants, contributing to the understanding of their life cycles. Writings provided a framework for plant morphology and taxonomy, shaping future botanical research.
Continue ReadingCadmus M. Wilcox
Born in 1824, a military officer served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Wilcox graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1846. He held several significant posts, including commanding a brigade in the Army of Northern Virginia. Participated in major battles such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of the Wilderness. Wilcox achieved the rank of brigadier general in 1863. After the war, he worked in various business ventures and held a position in the state legislature of Florida.
Continue ReadingAmbrose Burnside
Served as a Union general in the American Civil War, leading troops at the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Fredericksburg. Also held the position of 30th Governor of Rhode Island from 1866 to 1869. Burnside established a reputation for his leadership style and efforts in military organization.
Continue ReadingCarl Reinecke
A distinguished German pianist, composer, and conductor, contributed significantly to the Romantic music era. Held the position of conductor at the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig for over three decades. Composed a variety of works, including symphonies, concertos, chamber, and choral music. Actively participated in teaching, influencing subsequent generations of musicians while serving as a professor at the Leipzig Conservatory. His compositions, characterized by lyrical melodies and rich harmonic textures, remain performed by ensembles.
Continue ReadingWilliam Thomson
Born in 1824, this physicist and engineer significantly advanced the field of thermodynamics and contributed to the development of the absolute temperature scale, known as the Kelvin scale. He held the title of 1st Baron Kelvin. This figure's work encompassed electromagnetism and the formulation of the laws of thermodynamics. He served as a professor at the University of Glasgow and was involved in several engineering projects, including the laying of the Atlantic telegraph cable.
Continue ReadingPaul Broca
A French physician and anatomist, contributed significantly to the field of anthropology and neurology. Established the concept of localized brain functions through research on patients with language disorders. Discovered Broca's area, a region in the frontal lobe associated with speech production. Conducted studies that laid the groundwork for understanding the brain's role in language, which influenced modern neuroscience.
Continue ReadingEugène Boudin
A prominent 19th-century French painter, recognized for contributions to landscape painting and seascapes. Boudin primarily painted coastal scenes, often depicting the beaches of Normandy. He was an early supporter of plein air painting, capturing natural light and atmosphere in his works. Boudin influenced the Impressionist movement, guiding younger artists in their exploration of outdoor scenes. His technique and style laid groundwork for painters such as Claude Monet. Boudin exhibited widely and received acclaim for his depictions of light and water.
Continue Reading