There are a very large number of famous scientists in history. If a roster of all such famous scientists were to be compiled, the list would be never-ending. Hence, a finite number has been taken into consideration here. These great individuals were masters in their respective fields, and with their amazing work, changed the course of history and the way things were done. We'll have a look at the top scientists the world has ever seen.
1. Carl Sagan (9 Nov, 1934 - 20 Dec, 1996):
Carl Sagan was a multifaceted scientist who left his mark in astronomy, astrophysics, Extra-Terrestrial Science, the space and natural sciences and cosmology. Sagan wrote several scientific papers and popular articles and edited many books. Sagan introduced 'sceptical inquiry' and the 'scientific 'method in his studies. Sagan's works became popular and he became renowned worldwide as he had narrated and co-written the award-winning 1980 television series Cosmos: A Personal Voyage.
Another novel written by him, 'Contact' was adapted into the 1997 film of the same name. Carl Sagan had been instrumental in reaching science to the masses. He was a great communicator and popularized science brilliantly. Sagan's scientific studies formed the base for the discovery of planet Venus's high surface temperatures. Carl was a visiting scientist to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory where his major contribution remains with the 'Mariner program' for Venus where Carl played an integral role in the design and management of the project.
2. Alexander Fleming (6 Aug,1881 - 11 Mar, 1955):
Alexander Fleming was a great Scottish biologist and pharmacologist who made way for antibiotic medicines with his discovery of penicillin from the mould "Penicillium notatum". Fleming's discoveries brought new hope to mankind in battling certain diseases and treating bacterial infections. Fleming's various works are recorded in his articles on bacteriology, immunology, and chemotherapy. He won his Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his outstanding contributions and path breaking discoveries in medicines.
Such is the impact of the great man that his name had even featured in the list of 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century as recently as in 1999. Present day penicillin upgrades carried put by the medicine world stand on one man's quest and that is none other than Fleming. By discovering synthetic penicillin Fleming paved the way for preventing and fighting serious illnesses like syphilis, gangrene and tuberculosis which were never imagined of being treated before Fleming's discoveries.
3. Ernest Rutherford(30 Aug, 1871 - 19 Oct, 1937):
Ernest Rutherford is a prominent figure in the field of nuclear physics. He is known for his discoveries of chemical relations between radioactive substances. Rutherford is known for his scattering of atom which is popularly known as Rutherford model which he achieved through his brilliant Rutherford scattering and gold foil experiment. Rutherford attained great heights while researching on radioactivity and discovering and coining the terms alpha, gamma and beta which are different types of radiation.
Rutherford received his knighthood, Order of Merit and was made the Baron Rutherford of Nelson, of Cambridge in the County of Cambridge for his outstanding atomic and nuclear findings. Such was the brilliance of Rutherford that most of the researching students working under him achieved great heights and were awarded Nobel Prizes. Rutherford's experiments were regarded as the finest and most controlled ones for which he will always be remembered as one of the greatest scientists ever after Sir Isaac Newton. Rutherford's tomb lies next to Newton's which says how much he is respected and how greatly he is remembered.
4. William Osler(12 July, 1849 - 29 Dec, 1919):
William Osler is a renowned name in the field of medicine. He is regarded as the father of modern medicine and medical services. Sir William Osler is also popular for his image as a practical joker. Osler was one of the founding professors at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Osler founded the medical residency option which he started off in Johns Hopkins Hospital which later spread around the world. Osler had varied interests which made him a pathologist, physician, educator, bibliophile, historian and an author.
William Osler initiated training programs from physicians. He was the man who was responsible for bringing medical students out of lecture halls into practical bedside clinical training sessions. Osler played an instrumental role in bringing up the Postgraduate Medical Association where he was the first President. Osler also held the prestigious Regius Chair of Medicine at Oxford till the end of his life. Being the Physician-in-Chief of the new Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland USA he co-founded the renowned Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The greatest contribution of William Osler lies in bringing new-age changes in student learning and patient-doctor interaction in medical residency system set up by him.
5. Lord Kelvin(26 June, 1824 - 17 Dec, 1907):
William Thomson is popularly known as 1st Baron Kelvin, the creator of 'absolute zero' which are low limit temperature units now represented in units of 'Kelvin' in his honour. Lord Kelvin, as he is popularly known, is remembered for his outstanding works and achievements in the field of physics and mechanics. Kelvin propounded the first and second Laws of Thermodynamics and brought revolutionary changes in physics to make it emerge as a prominent field of study and research in the modern times. Lord Kelvin became the very first scientist who joined the House of Lords in England.
Lord Kelvin was a scientist and a great marine engineering enthusiast. Kelvin's series of lectures at American Johns Hopkins University gave out the initial formulations of a physical model for the ether. Several physical elements and phenomena are linked with Lord Kelvin - Kelvin wave, Kelvin (temperature), Kelvin sensing, Kelvin bridge and several others.
6. Louis Pasteur (27Dec, 1822 - 28 Sep,1895):
Pasteurization (a process of toning and treating milk free of damage causing microbes) is the most common reference to the great chemist and biologist who ever lived on this earth, Louis Pasteur. He is a well known name in the medical world as well as for millions of people around the world. The French chemist was also a brilliant microbiologist known for his outstanding breakthroughs in medicines and invention of vaccines for diseases that were never known to be treated.
Pasteur was the first man on earth to have discovered cure for dangerous puerperal fever and created the first type of vaccine for rabies and anthrax. Louis Pasteur made great discoveries in chemistry besides striking gold in microbiology. Chemical discoveries by Pasteur include the very famous molecular basis for the asymmetry of certain crystals. Pasteur will always be remembered even by future generations for his notable disease prevention theories and medicines.
7. Isaac Newton(04 Jan, 1643 - 31 March, 1727):
Isaac Newton is possibly a name that was, is and will be remembered in history for his brilliant and inspiring scientific and mathematical theories. Newton was a genius of his times and discovered that earth has its own gravitational pull. Newton's laws of mechanics and mathematical principles are referred even today. The three laws of motion makes Newton a name remembered for eternity. Newton was the first man on earth to develop a telescope. There are several works like the differential and integral calculus where Newton had been an integral part. Isaac Newton is the pride of England. His tremendous achievements in mathematics, astronomy, natural philosophy, chemistry, and physics have made him one of the greatest scientists.
8. Galileo Galilei(15 Feb, 1564 - 08 Jan, 1642):
If the world knows any name as the father of science then Galileo Galilei is surely the one. Galilei is a name that starts and ends modern day Science and its revelations. Galilei was the one who opposed all existing ideas that all planets and object in the universe revolved around the earth. It was Galileo who became controversial for affirming that Sun was at the centre and everything else in the universe revolved around it.
Galilei is a historically renowned scientist who changed the way the world viewed science with his astronomical observation theories, modern science and modern physics. Galilei struggled his way against the religious bodies to uphold his science and technological methods and theories. Galilei discovered the 4 largest satellites present in the planet Jupiter and these were called Galilean moons. Galilei's scientific efforts include major inventions such as improvement in military compass and other instruments. The genius in Galileo never got recognition during his lifetime. All his inventions and theories were supported and referred to after his death.
9. Hippocrates(0460 BC - 0370 BC):
Hippocrates is a radiant name in the history of medicine. The outstanding individual brought a new form into the field of ancient Greek medicine. Hippocrates' most relevant and historical contribution is the Hippocratic School of medicine. This school changed the traditional means and modes of medicine in Greece. His tremendous achievements and efforts in systematic study of clinical medicine made him a great historical figure.
Hippocrates is an exemplary name in the list of ancient physicians. The very commonly known 'Hippocratic Oath' has been derived from and credited to the first physician of human history - Hippocrates. Other achievements and noteworthy feats of the great physician include 'The Hippocratic Corpus' which is a collection of ancient Greek medical works strongly related and associated with Hippocrates and his teachings. Hippocrates was revered for being the first individual ever to have mixed philosophy with medicine. The gentle, meditative and prognosis ways of medicinal treatments were founded by Hippocrates making him much loved and criticised by common men and individuals of other fields of treatment respectively.
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