Left behind were the two and a half centuries of autonomous life in which Zaragoza provided teachers for the Universities of Paris and Salamanca, when its classrooms were honoured with the teachings of the mathematician Gaspar Lax, the humanist Juan Lorenzo Palmireno, the jurist Jose de Sesse and the scientist Pedro Simon. Through the halls of Zaragoza had walked the historian Espes, the classicist Lorente, the jurist Portoles, the canonist Ejea, the doctor Royo, the first director of the Royal Academy of History Montiano, the bibliographer Latassa and the geographer Antillon. From its classrooms emerged singular students such as Miguel Servet, Jeronimo Blancas, the Archbishop Pedro Apaolaza, the Argensola brothers, the historians Andres and Sayas, the erudite traveller Cubero, Blas Antonio Nasarre, the economist Asso, the statesmen Aliaga, Roda, Marquis de la Compuesta and Calomarde. Until the unionist reform of 1845, 128 rectors had put their personal seal on its academic history, among them, Fraila, Carrillo, Ramirez, Martel, Azlor and Pignatelli. In the 20th century Zaragoza has continued this record of university achievements. Former students occupy numerous professorships throughout the country, first-rate experimental scientists have promoted the practical applications of their studies in industry (chemical, sugar, cement, etc.), and from the University many fine statesmen, humanists and medical scientists have emerged.