Born in 1642 to poor farming family in Woolsthorpe, England. Attended Trinity College in Cambridge, studying mathematics and optics. Became Lucasian Chair at Cambridge and elected to Royal Society in 1703
Born in 1935 in Changchun, Jilin province. Joined army in 1950, participated in Korean War as messenger. Joined CCP in 1953, worked in Shanghai textile mill security
Born in Brunswick in 1777, Gauss showed exceptional mathematical abilities from childhood. Studied at Collegium Carolinum and University of Göttingen, becoming a self-taught mathematician. Graduated as a Doctor of Philosophy in 1799 at Helmstedt University
Born in Como in 1745, became professor of physics at Royal School in 1774. Married Teresa Peregrini in 1794, had three sons. Became professor of experimental physics at University of Pavia for 40 years
Born in 1839 to con artist William Rockefeller Sr. in New York. Started as bookkeeper at age 16, later entered business partnerships. Became largest oil refiner in world by 1868 through efficient practices
Born in 1863 on Michigan farm, Ford left home at 16 to work in Detroit. Started repairing engines and building automobiles in 1880s. Founded Ford Motor Company in 1903 after previous business failures