Christopher Borrus
Encyclopedia
Christopher Borrus also called Borri or Burrus, was a Jesuit missionary in Southeast Asia, a mathematician, and an astronomer, born in Milan
and died in Rome.
His family was one of good standing in Milan. He became a member of the Society of Jesus
, 16 September 1601; in 1616 he was sent from Macau
with the Jesuit Father Marquez, as one of the first missionaries to Cochinchina
(now southern Vietnam). Here he stayed until 1622, being known under the name of Bruno. After his return he taught mathematics at Coimbra
; in 1632 he entered the Cistercian Order, taking the name of Father Onofrio, and died the same year.
His most important work Relatione della nuova missione delli P.P. della Compagnia di Gesù al Regno della Cocincina appeared in Rome in 1631 and was translated into French, Dutch, Latin, German and English. It was also inserted in Churchill's Collection of Voyages (1704), and in and Sprengel and Forster's Neue Beitrage zur Volkerund Länderkunde (1793). The work was considered one of the best sources of information concerning Cochinchina on account of its detailed description of the physical, political, and ecclesiastical conditions of the country.
He also made observations on the magnetic variation of the compass. According to Kircher (1641) he drew up the first chart for the Atlantic and Indian Oceans showing the spots where the magnetic needle makes the same angles with the meridian; if this is true, he should be regarded as the forerunner of Edmund Halley. Borrus gives the explanation to the chart in a manuscript that belongs to the Royal Academy
at Lisbon. In another manuscript, now in Évora
, Tratada da arte de navegar pelo Cristovao Bruno, which bears on the same subject, he makes suggestions, according to Allatius (1633), as to a new method for determining the longitude
at sea and also concerning improvements in sea-charts. Philip II of Spain
, desiring to understand the Borrus' nautical studies and inventions, once summoned him from Coimbra to Madrid. He also wrote Doctrina de Tribus Coelis, Aereo, Sydereo et Empeireo, and also some accounts of his travels for the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide.
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
and died in Rome.
His family was one of good standing in Milan. He became a member of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, 16 September 1601; in 1616 he was sent from Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
with the Jesuit Father Marquez, as one of the first missionaries to Cochinchina
Cochinchina
Cochinchina is a region encompassing the southern third of Vietnam whose principal city is Saigon. It was a French colony from 1862 to 1954. The later state of South Vietnam was created in 1954 by combining Cochinchina with southern Annam. In Vietnamese, the region is called Nam Bộ...
(now southern Vietnam). Here he stayed until 1622, being known under the name of Bruno. After his return he taught mathematics at Coimbra
Coimbra
Coimbra is a city in the municipality of Coimbra in Portugal. Although it served as the nation's capital during the High Middle Ages, it is better-known for its university, the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the...
; in 1632 he entered the Cistercian Order, taking the name of Father Onofrio, and died the same year.
His most important work Relatione della nuova missione delli P.P. della Compagnia di Gesù al Regno della Cocincina appeared in Rome in 1631 and was translated into French, Dutch, Latin, German and English. It was also inserted in Churchill's Collection of Voyages (1704), and in and Sprengel and Forster's Neue Beitrage zur Volkerund Länderkunde (1793). The work was considered one of the best sources of information concerning Cochinchina on account of its detailed description of the physical, political, and ecclesiastical conditions of the country.
He also made observations on the magnetic variation of the compass. According to Kircher (1641) he drew up the first chart for the Atlantic and Indian Oceans showing the spots where the magnetic needle makes the same angles with the meridian; if this is true, he should be regarded as the forerunner of Edmund Halley. Borrus gives the explanation to the chart in a manuscript that belongs to the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
at Lisbon. In another manuscript, now in Évora
Évora
Évora is a municipality in Portugal. It has total area of with a population of 55,619 inhabitants. It is the seat of the Évora District and capital of the Alentejo region. The municipality is composed of 19 civil parishes, and is located in Évora District....
, Tratada da arte de navegar pelo Cristovao Bruno, which bears on the same subject, he makes suggestions, according to Allatius (1633), as to a new method for determining the longitude
Longitude
Longitude is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east-west position of a point on the Earth's surface. It is an angular measurement, usually expressed in degrees, minutes and seconds, and denoted by the Greek letter lambda ....
at sea and also concerning improvements in sea-charts. Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
, desiring to understand the Borrus' nautical studies and inventions, once summoned him from Coimbra to Madrid. He also wrote Doctrina de Tribus Coelis, Aereo, Sydereo et Empeireo, and also some accounts of his travels for the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide.
External links
- Lynn Thorndike in American Historical ReviewAmerican Historical ReviewThe American Historical Review is the official publication of the American Historical Association, established in 1895 "for the promotion of historical studies, the collection and preservation of historical documents and artifacts, and the dissemination of historical research." It targets readers...
(also )