Wolfgang Borchert, a German author and playwright, passed away on November 20, 1947. Born in Hamburg in 1921, his experiences during World War II deeply influenced his writing, particularly within the Trümmerliteratur movement. His most famous work, "Draußen vor der Tür" (The Man Outside), captures the trauma of returning soldiers and was written during his time in Basel, where he sought medical treatment before his untimely death. Borchert's exploration of humanity and suffering remains impactful in post-war German literature. See wikipedia for more information.

Alexander Markowitsch Ostrowski, a Ukrainian mathematician, died on November 20, 1986. He was a significant figure in algebra and number theory and became a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Basel in 1928, where he taught until his retirement in 1958. Ostrowski's long academic career in Basel and his continued contributions to mathematical research into his late eighties highlight his strong connection to the city. See wikipedia for more information.