NICOLAUS COPERNICUS
1473-1543
Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer.
INTRODUCTION
Nicolaus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer who is commonly acknowledged as
the founder of modern astronomy.
BACKGROUND
Nicolaus Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473, in Thorn, Poland, an
important European trading center. His real name was Nikals Kopenik and it
was Latinized to Nicolaus Copernicus. He came from a middle class background.
When Nicolaus Copernicus was 10 his father died and he was raised by his uncle.
His uncle gave him a good education. He studied mathematics, philosophy,
astronomy and astrology at the universities of Bologna and Padua. He took a
degree at the university.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nicolaus Copernicus was a true Renaissance man. He also was a lawyer, tax
collector, a doctor, military governor, judge, vicar-general of canon law and a
Polish astronomer. Nicolaus Copernicus said that the earth was not stationary.
He also said the earth turned on its axis once a day and he doubted the earth lay
in the middle of the universe. He claimed that the sun was the center of the
universe and all the planets revolved around the sun. He also published a book
on the revolution of the heavenly bodies. His book De Revolutions was his most
famous piece of work.
IMPACT
Nicolaus Copernicus's knowledge was spread to others and he also set the scene
for major advances in science. Copernicus also marked the beginning of a
scientific revolution and astronomy.
This was how Copernicus saw the universe.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. "Bob's Backgrounds," [http://204.234.22.1/hot_graphics/back.htm].
2. Gingerich, Owen [http://www.Copernicusmarketing/com/ret/nivocper.htm].
3. Marks, Anthony. The Usborne Book of Scientists. Toronto, Scholastic, 1996,
pp, 14-15.
4. "Nicolaus Copernicus," Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc., 1995.
5. "Unusual Backrounds" [http://www.tribenet.com/unusual.htm].
RENE DESCARTES
1596-1650
"I think, therefore I am."
INTRODUCTION
Rene Descartes was one of the greatest philosophers of the Renaissance period.
BACKGROUND
Rene Descartes was born on March 31, 1596, in a small town in France called La
Haye. He attended the college of Henri IV in La Fleche at the age of 10 and he
left La Fleche in 1614 to study civil and cannon law at Poitiers. He received
baccalaureate and licentiate degrees in law in 1616, and in 1618 he joined the
army of Prince Maurice. Between 1628 and 1649 he led a quiet scholarly life. He
produced most of his philosophical writings within this period. Rene Descartes
died in Sweden in the year 1650.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Rene Descartes was a respected philosopher, scientist and mathematician. He
used new methods of investigating nature and he invented analytic geometry. He
was the first philosopher to describe the physical universe in terms of matter and
motion. He created three major works: Discourse on Method, Meditations on
First Philosophy, and Principles of Philosophy.
He claimed that the world was created by God and that it was made of two
substances: matter and spirit. Matter was the physical universe and spirit was
the human mind. He considered that perhaps God or an evil spirit was
constantly tricking his mind causing him to believe what was false.
His theories of knowledge and of the relation between mind and matter
influenced many later philosophers.
IMPACT
Rene Descartes is considered the father of modern philosophy.
Philosopher, Scientist, Mathematician
GALILEO GALILEI
1564-1642
Galileo was the greatest scientist who ever lived.
INTRODUCTION
For the last four hundred years, Galileo has fascinated and inspired writers,
theologians, playwrights, historians and scientists.
BACKGROUND
Galileo was born February 15, 1564, in Pisa. He started school in the 1570's.
Then after, he attended the University of Pisa. He asked his father if he could
leave the university. He took courses in astronomy on the basis of the Greek
astronomer Ptolmey's theory. In 1610 he went to Florence to continue his studies
of the heavens where he found the truth of Copernicus's theory.
In 1632 he published an important book of the dialogues concerning the two
chief world systems of Ptolemy and Copernicus. In 1633 the church told him that
he was wrong. He refused to say he was wrong and was sentenced to be
imprisoned but the sentence changed to house arrest. He spent the remaining
years in a country house under arrest where he was watched closely but was
allowed to continue his scientific work.
In 1630 he became blind after completing his second major book of dialogues
concerning the two new sciences. The book was smuggled to Holland where it
was published in 1639.
Galileo was 78 years old when he died in 1642.
IMPACT
Galileo was one of the chief founders of modern science. His greatest impact was
his telescope and the laws of motion. It changed the way people viewed the
universe.
This is the telescope that Galileo created in 1601.
GERARDUS MERCATOR
1518 - 1594
Renaissance mapmaker
INTRODUCTION
Gerhard Kremer, or Gerardus Mercator was the leading mapmaker of the 15th
Century.
BACKGROUND
Gerardus Mercator was born March 5, 1518, in Dumpelunde, Flanders
(Belgium). He died Dec. 2, 1594, in Duisburg, Duchy of Cleve (Germany). His
original name was Gerard de Kremer. Gerardus's father was a shoemaker in
Flanders. He was educated at Shertogenbosch located in the Netherlands.
In 1530 he entered the University of Levine where he studied philosophy. He
later graduated after studying mathematics. After school he studied astronomy
privately. He also travelled to a number of places (including Antwerp and
Mechelen) while going through a personal crisis. Mercator returned to Levine
where he studied mathematics.
He spent seven months in jail but was released, mainly due to strong support
from the University of Levine. In 1552 he moved to Duisburg where he opened a
cartographic workshop.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Mercator's disciplines were cartography and geography. From 1535-1536
Mercator made terrestrial globes for several rich individuals. In 1537 Mercator
constructed a globe of the stars.
He was the first to use longitude and latitude for sailors. Mercator was also very
good at making an accurate map of Western Europe. Later Mercator lectured at
Duisburg where he took some time off to make Mercator's Great Atlas in which
he sought to describe the world's history. He was the first to make a map of the
British Isles. He was an instrument maker and engraver. He made the first map
of Flanders. He made maps with a new type of projection.
IMPACT
His many maps and globes increased trade and exploration and people's
knowledge of the world.
Mercator's map of the world, 1538