The Royal Society

Author and environmentalist Rachel Carson was born today in 1907. She wrote a powerful book about the decline of nature called Silent Spring, in which she said: “Man is a part of nature and his war against nature is, inevitably, a war against himself.’ #science #history #nature #'wildlife #food

1 day ago | [YT] | 543

The Royal Society

Pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning was born today in 1799. Already ground-breaking by aged 12, she discovering the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton and throughout her life helped revolutionise our understanding of the prehistoric Earth. She always worked with her small dog, Tray. #history #science #dinosaurs #nature #fossils

6 days ago | [YT] | 678

The Royal Society

Pioneering molecular biologist Max Perutz was born today in 1914. Along with John Kendrew, he was the first to reveal the structure of haemoglobin. He said “A discovery is like falling in love and reaching the top of a mountain after a hard climb all in one...” #science #biology #history

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 566

The Royal Society

Physician Edward Jenner was born today in 1749. He became an early pioneer of vaccination. Inoculation had a long history in African and Asian medicine, and was brought to Britain by Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, but Jenner's extensive research popularised vaccination against smallpox. #science #health #vaccines #history

1 week ago | [YT] | 557

The Royal Society

Polymath Norman Lockyer was born today in 1836. He used electromagnetic spectroscopy to detect the chemical signal of helium near the edge of the sun, becoming the co-discoverer of the element. He also founded the scientific journal Nature and made discoveries about Stonehenge and the Parthenon of Athens. #science #history #chemistry #astronomy

1 week ago | [YT] | 566

The Royal Society

Astronomer Alice Everett was born today in 1866. She was recruited as one of the four ‘lady computers’ by the Greenwich Observatory to help create a giant photographic atlas of the night sky. She later published papers on optics and may have been one of two women present at John Loie Baird’s first demonstration of television. #space #astronomy #science

1 week ago | [YT] | 503

The Royal Society

Mary Seacole died today in 1881. She was one of the most famous figures of the Crimean War. Inspired by her mother, who was skilled in traditional medicine, she arrived in Crimea in 1855. Here she treated soldiers in army hospitals and provided food, medicine and rest at her ‘British Hotel’ She was known as Mother Seacole to the troops. #science #history #war #health

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 471

The Royal Society

Crystallographer and peace campaigner Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin was born today in 1910. Using X-rays, she revealed for the first time the structure of several molecules, including insulin and penicillin, paving the way for life-saving treatments. #science #history #health

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 599

The Royal Society

Entomologist Eleanor Anne Ormerod was born today in 1828. She taught at the Royal Agricultural College and was known for undertaking experiments on herself, including holding a live Crested Newt in her mouth to see how its poison affected humans. She is the subject of a Virginia Woolf short story. #science #nature #biology

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 400

The Royal Society

Crystallographer J.D. Bernal was born today in 1901. He studied the crystal structure of cholesterol, vitamin D2, pepsin, and liquid water, whose molecule he revealed to be boomerang shaped. He was a good mentor, affectionately known as ‘Sage’, and worked with Max Perutz on the aborted 'Operation Habakkuk' to build the word's largest warship out of ice. #science #history #ww2 #chemistry #physics

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 390