Born on This Day: February 4

Anglo-Irish scientist whose experiments and gas law helped establish modern chemistry and experimental science.

French painter whose bold forms and machine-age imagery helped shape Cubism and modern visual culture.

American aviator whose solo transatlantic flight transformed public understanding of aviation and long-distance air travel.

American astronomer who discovered Pluto and contributed to the systematic search for objects in the outer solar system.

German theologian whose resistance to Nazism and writings on ethics, faith, and responsibility became internationally influential.

American civil-rights activist whose refusal to surrender her bus seat helped catalyze the modern movement against segregation.

British-American actor and director who became a pioneering independent filmmaker and expanded women’s roles behind the camera.

American writer and activist whose work helped launch second-wave feminism and reshape debate about women’s public and private lives.