List of Roman Catholic scientist-clerics
Encyclopedia
Nicolaus Copernicus
Nicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance astronomer and the first person to formulate a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe....
, Gregor Mendel
Gregor Mendel
Gregor Johann Mendel was an Austrian scientist and Augustinian friar who gained posthumous fame as the founder of the new science of genetics. Mendel demonstrated that the inheritance of certain traits in pea plants follows particular patterns, now referred to as the laws of Mendelian inheritance...
, Georges Lemaître
Georges Lemaître
Monsignor Georges Henri Joseph Édouard Lemaître was a Belgian priest, astronomer and professor of physics at the Catholic University of Louvain. He was the first person to propose the theory of the expansion of the Universe, widely misattributed to Edwin Hubble...
, Albertus Magnus
Albertus Magnus
Albertus Magnus, O.P. , also known as Albert the Great and Albert of Cologne, is a Catholic saint. He was a German Dominican friar and a bishop, who achieved fame for his comprehensive knowledge of and advocacy for the peaceful coexistence of science and religion. Those such as James A. Weisheipl...
, Roger Bacon
Roger Bacon
Roger Bacon, O.F.M. , also known as Doctor Mirabilis , was an English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empirical methods...
, Pierre Gassendi
Pierre Gassendi
Pierre Gassendi was a French philosopher, priest, scientist, astronomer, and mathematician. With a church position in south-east France, he also spent much time in Paris, where he was a leader of a group of free-thinking intellectuals. He was also an active observational scientist, publishing the...
, Roger Joseph Boscovich
Roger Joseph Boscovich
Ruđer Josip Bošković was a theologian, physicist, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, diplomat, poet, Jesuit, and a polymath from the city of Dubrovnik in the Republic of Ragusa , who studied and lived in Italy and France where he also published many of his works.He is famous for...
, Marin Mersenne
Marin Mersenne
Marin Mersenne, Marin Mersennus or le Père Mersenne was a French theologian, philosopher, mathematician and music theorist, often referred to as the "father of acoustics"...
, Francesco Maria Grimaldi
Francesco Maria Grimaldi
Francesco Maria Grimaldi was an Italian Jesuit priest, mathematician and physicist who taught at the Jesuit college in Bologna....
, Nicole Oresme, Jean Buridan
Jean Buridan
Jean Buridan was a French priest who sowed the seeds of the Copernican revolution in Europe. Although he was one of the most famous and influential philosophers of the late Middle Ages, he is today among the least well known...
, Robert Grosseteste
Robert Grosseteste
Robert Grosseteste or Grossetete was an English statesman, scholastic philosopher, theologian and Bishop of Lincoln. He was born of humble parents at Stradbroke in Suffolk. A.C...
, Christopher Clavius
Christopher Clavius
Christopher Clavius was a German Jesuit mathematician and astronomer who was the main architect of the modern Gregorian calendar...
, Nicolas Steno
Nicolas Steno
Nicolas Steno |Latinized]] to Nicolaus Steno -gen. Nicolai Stenonis-, Italian Niccolo' Stenone) was a Danish pioneer in both anatomy and geology. Already in 1659 he decided not to accept anything simply written in a book, instead resolving to do research himself. He is considered the father of...
, Athanasius Kircher
Athanasius Kircher
Athanasius Kircher was a 17th century German Jesuit scholar who published around 40 works, most notably in the fields of oriental studies, geology, and medicine...
, Giovanni Battista Riccioli
Giovanni Battista Riccioli
Giovanni Battista Riccioli was an Italian astronomer and a Catholic priest in the Jesuit order...
, William of Ockham
William of Ockham
William of Ockham was an English Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher, who is believed to have been born in Ockham, a small village in Surrey. He is considered to be one of the major figures of medieval thought and was at the centre of the major intellectual and political controversies of...
, and many others. Hundreds of others have made important contributions to science from the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
through the present day.
The Church has also produced thousands of lay scientists and mathematicians, many of whom were the intellectual giants of their day. These scientists include Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei , was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations and support for Copernicanism...
, Rene Descartes
René Descartes
René Descartes ; was a French philosopher and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Dutch Republic. He has been dubbed the 'Father of Modern Philosophy', and much subsequent Western philosophy is a response to his writings, which are studied closely to this day...
, Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur
Louis Pasteur was a French chemist and microbiologist born in Dole. He is remembered for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes and preventions of diseases. His discoveries reduced mortality from puerperal fever, and he created the first vaccine for rabies and anthrax. His experiments...
, Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal , was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic philosopher. He was a child prodigy who was educated by his father, a tax collector in Rouen...
, André-Marie Ampère
André-Marie Ampère
André-Marie Ampère was a French physicist and mathematician who is generally regarded as one of the main discoverers of electromagnetism. The SI unit of measurement of electric current, the ampere, is named after him....
, Charles-Augustin de Coulomb
Charles-Augustin de Coulomb
Charles-Augustin de Coulomb was a French physicist. He is best known for developing Coulomb's law, the definition of the electrostatic force of attraction and repulsion. The [SI unit] of charge, the coulomb, was named after him....
, Pierre de Fermat
Pierre de Fermat
Pierre de Fermat was a French lawyer at the Parlement of Toulouse, France, and an amateur mathematician who is given credit for early developments that led to infinitesimal calculus, including his adequality...
, Antoine Laurent Lavoisier, Alessandro Volta
Alessandro Volta
Count Alessandro Giuseppe Antonio Anastasio Gerolamo Umberto Volta was a Lombard physicist known especially for the invention of the battery in 1800.-Early life and works:...
, Augustin-Louis Cauchy, Pierre Duhem
Pierre Duhem
Pierre Maurice Marie Duhem was a French physicist, mathematician and philosopher of science, best known for his writings on the indeterminacy of experimental criteria and on scientific development in the Middle Ages...
, Jean-Baptiste Dumas
Jean-Baptiste Dumas
Jean Baptiste André Dumas was a French chemist, best known for his works on organic analysis and synthesis, as well as the determination of atomic weights and molecular weights by measuring vapor densities...
, Georgius Agricola and countless others.
The Jesuits in particular have made numerous significant contributions to the development of science. For example, the Jesuits have dedicated significant study to earthquakes, and seismology
Seismology
Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic,...
has come to be known as "the Jesuit science." This, however, is only one of many significant contributions. The Jesuits have been described as "the single most important contributor to experimental physics in the seventeenth century." According to Jonathan Wright
Jonathan Wright
Jonathan Wright is a British historian and author.His books include The Jesuits: Missions, Myths and Histories - published in the USA as God's Soldiers...
in his book God's Soldiers, by the eighteenth century the Jesuits had
contributed to the development of pendulum clocks, pantographs, barometers, reflecting telescopes and microscopes, to scientific fields as various as magnetism, optics and electricity. They observed, in some cases before anyone else, the colored bands on Jupiter’s surface, the Andromeda nebula and Saturn’s rings. They theorized about the circulation of the blood (independently of Harvey), the theoretical possibility of flight, the way the moon effected the tides, and the wave-like nature of light. Star maps of the southern hemisphere, symbolic logic, flood-control measures on the Po and Adige rivers, introducing plus and minus signs into Italian mathematics – all were typical Jesuit achievements, and scientists as influential as Fermat, Huygens, Leibniz and Newton were not alone in counting Jesuits among their most prized correspondents.
The contributions of Roman Catholic clerics to the study of astronomy are also remarkable. J.L. Heilbron in his book The Sun in the Church: Cathedrals as Solar Observatories writes that "The Roman Catholic Church gave more financial aid and support to the study of astronomy for over six centuries, from the recovery of ancient learning during the late Middle Ages into the Enlightenment, than any other, and, probably, all other, institutions." The fact that thirty-five craters on the moon are named for Jesuit scientists and mathematicians shows the Church's commitment to astronomy.
The Church's commitment to scientific studies continues to this day. The Pontifical Academy of Sciences
Pontifical Academy of Sciences
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is a scientific academy of the Vatican, founded in 1936 by Pope Pius XI. It is placed under the protection of the reigning Supreme Pontiff. Its aim is to promote the progress of the mathematical, physical and natural sciences and the study of related...
was founded in 1936 by Pope Pius XI. Its aim is to promote the progress of the mathematical, physical and natural sciences and the study of related epistemological problems. The academy holds a membership roster of the most respected names in 20th century science, many of them Nobel laureates. Also worth noting is the Vatican Observatory
Vatican Observatory
The Vatican Observatory is an astronomical research and educational institution supported by the Holy See. Originally based in Rome, it now has headquarters and laboratory at the summer residence of the Pope in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, and an observatory at the Mount Graham International...
, which is an astronomical research and educational institution supported by the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
.
The cleric-scientists
- José de AcostaJosé de AcostaJosé de Acosta was a Spanish 16th-century Jesuit missionary and naturalist in Latin America.-Life:...
(1539–1600) – Jesuit missionary and naturalist who wrote one of the very first detailed and realistic descriptions of the new world - François d'AguilonFrançois d'AguilonFrançois d'Aguilon , was a Belgian Jesuit mathematician, physicist and architect....
(1567–1617) – Belgian Jesuit mathematician, physicist, and architect. - Albert of Saxony (philosopher)Albert of Saxony (philosopher)Albert of Saxony was a German philosopher known for his contributions to logic and physics...
(c. 1320–1390) – German bishop known for his contributions to logic and physics; with Buridan he helped develop the theory that was a precursor to the modern theory of inertia - Albertus MagnusAlbertus MagnusAlbertus Magnus, O.P. , also known as Albert the Great and Albert of Cologne, is a Catholic saint. He was a German Dominican friar and a bishop, who achieved fame for his comprehensive knowledge of and advocacy for the peaceful coexistence of science and religion. Those such as James A. Weisheipl...
(c. 1206–1280) – "One of the most famous precursors of modern science in the High Middles Ages." Patron saint of natural sciences; Works in physics, logic, metaphysics, biology, and psychology. - José María AlguéJosé María AlguéJosé María Algué, SI , was a Spanish Roman Catholic priest and meteorologist in the observatory of Manila. He invented the barocyclonometer, the nephoscope and a kind of microseismograph...
(1856–1930) – Meteorologist who invented the barocyclonometer - José Antonio de Alzate y RamírezJosé Antonio de Alzate y RamírezJosé Antonio de Alzate y Ramírez was a Mexican priest, scientist, historian, cartographer, and journalist. He was born in Ozumba in 1737. He studied in the Colegio de San Ildefonso in Mexico City, graduating as a bachelor in theology in 1756...
(1737–1799) – Scientist, historian, cartographer, meteorologist; wrote more than thirty treatises on a variety of scientific subjects - Francesco Castracane degli AntelminelliFrancesco Castracane degli AntelminelliFrancesco Castracane degli Antelminelli was an Italian naturalist.He was educated at the Jesuits' school in Reggio Emilia, and was ordained priest in 1840. Four years later he was made canon of the cathedral in Fano, and at the same time resumed his studies at the Collegio dei Nobili in Rome...
(1817–1899) – Botanist who was one of the first to introduce microphotography into the study of biology - Giovanni AntonelliGiovanni AntonelliGiovanni Antonelli was an Italian scientist, astronomer and engineer.Antonelli was born in Pistoia, Tuscany. A Catholic priest, he was director of the Ximenian Observatory of Florence from 1851 until his death....
(1818–1872) – Director of the Ximenian Observatory of Florence; collaborated on the design of a prototype of the internal combustion engine - Nicolò ArrighettiNicolò ArrighettiNicolò Arrighetti was an Italian professor of natural philosophy. He was born in Florence, Italy in 1709. On October 21, 1724 he became a member of the Society of Jesus; he taught natural philosophy in Spoleto, Prato and Siena...
(1709–1767) – Wrote treatises on light, heat, and electricity. - Giuseppe AsclepiGiuseppe AsclepiGiuseppe Maria Asclepi was an Italian astronomer and physician. He was a Jesuit and director of the observatory at the Collegio Romano.His works include:...
(1706–1776) – Astronomer and physician; director of the Collegio Romano observatory; The lunar crater Asclepi is named after him. - Roger BaconRoger BaconRoger Bacon, O.F.M. , also known as Doctor Mirabilis , was an English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empirical methods...
(c. 1214–1294) – Significant contributions to mathematics and optics; forerunner of modern scientific method. - Bernardino BaldiBernardino BaldiBernardino Baldi was an Italian mathematician and writer.Baldi descended from a noble family from Urbino, Marche, where he was born...
(1533–1617) – Mathematician and writer - Eugenio BarsantiEugenio BarsantiFather Eugenio Barsanti , also named Nicolò, was an Italian engineer, who invented a form of the internal combustion engine. It is not known whether he was the first to develop such an engine, as the patent request in question has been lost.Barsanti was born in Pietrasanta, Tuscany...
(1821–1864) – Possible inventor of the internal combustion engine - Bartholomeus AmicusBartholomeus AmicusBartholomeus Amicus , or Bartolomeo Amico or Bartholomeo d'Amici, was a Jesuit priest, teacher and writer who spent his adult life in Naples...
(1562–1649) – Wrote on philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and the concept of vacuum and its relationship with God. - Daniello BartoliDaniello Bartolithumb|right| Daniello Bartoli "Obiit Romae, die 13 Januarii, anno 1685, aet. 77"Daniello Bartoli was an Italian Jesuit writer and historiographer, celebrated by Francesco de Sanctis as the "Dante of Italian prose".-Ferrara:He was born in Ferrara. His father, Tiburzio was a chemist associated with...
(1608–1685) – Bartoli and fellow Jesuit astronomer Niccolò Zucchi are credited as probably having been the first to see the equatorial belts on the planet Jupiter - Joseph BaymaJoseph BaymaJoseph Bayma was a mathematician, philosopher, and scientist. He is known for work relating to stereochemistry and mathematics....
(1816–1892) – Known for work in stereochemistry and mathematics - Giacopo BelgradoGiacopo BelgradoGiacopo Belgrado, Italian Jesuit and natural philosopher.Giacopo belonged to a noble family and received his education at Padua...
(1704–1789) – Experimental works in physics, professor of mathematics and physics, and court mathematician - Mario BettinusMario BettinusMario Bettinus was an Italian Jesuit philosopher, mathematician and astronomer. The lunar crater Bettinus was named after him by Giovanni Riccioli in 1651. His Apiaria Universae Philosophiae Mathematicae is an encyclopedic collection of mathematical curiosities...
(1582–1657) – Jesuit philosopher, mathematician and astronomer; lunar crater Bettinus named after him - Giuseppe BiancaniGiuseppe BiancaniGiuseppe Biancani was an Italian Jesuit astronomer, mathematician, and selenographer, after whom the crater Blancanus on the Moon is named...
(1566–1624) – Jesuit astronomer, mathematician, and selenographer, after whom the crater Blancanus on the Moon is named - Jacques de BillyJacques de BillyJacques de Billy was a French Jesuit mathematician. Born in Compiègne, he subsequently entered the Society of Jesus. From 1629 to 1630, Billy taught mathematics at the Jesuit College at Pontà Mousson. He was still studying theology at this time. From 1631 to 1633, Billy taught mathematics at...
(1602–1679) – Produced a number of results in number theory which have been named after him; published several astronomical tables; The crater Billy on the Moon is named after him. - Paolo BocconePaolo BocconePaolo Silvio Boccone was an Italian botanist from Sicily, whose interest in plants had been sparked at a young age...
(1633–1704) – Cistercian botanist who contributed to the fields of medicine and toxicology - Bernard BolzanoBernard BolzanoBernhard Placidus Johann Nepomuk Bolzano , Bernard Bolzano in English, was a Bohemian mathematician, logician, philosopher, theologian, Catholic priest and antimilitarist of German mother tongue.-Family:Bolzano was the son of two pious Catholics...
(1781–1848) – Mathematician and logician; other interests included metaphysics, ideas, sensation, and truth. - Anselmus de BoodtAnselmus de BoodtAnselmus de Boodt was a Belgian mineralogist and physician from the city of Brugge during the European Renaissance. Along with the "Father of Mineralogy", the German known by his nom de plume Georgius Agricola, Anselmus is responsible for establishing the modern geological earth science study of...
(1550–1632) – One of the founders of mineralogy - Theodoric BorgognoniTheodoric BorgognoniTheodoric Borgognoni , also known as Teodorico de'Borgognoni, and Theodoric of Lucca, was an Italian who became one of the most significant surgeons of the medieval period...
(1205–1298) – Medieval Surgeon who made important contributions to antiseptic practice and anaesthetics - Christopher BorrusChristopher BorrusChristopher 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...
(1583–1632) – Mathematician and astronomy who made observations on the magnetic variation of the compass - Roger Joseph BoscovichRoger Joseph BoscovichRuđer Josip Bošković was a theologian, physicist, astronomer, mathematician, philosopher, diplomat, poet, Jesuit, and a polymath from the city of Dubrovnik in the Republic of Ragusa , who studied and lived in Italy and France where he also published many of his works.He is famous for...
(1711–1787) – formulation of modern atomic theory, important contributions to astronomy - Joachim BouvetJoachim BouvetJoachim Bouvet was a French Jesuit who worked in China, and the leading member of the Figurist movement.-Biography:...
(1656–1730) – Jesuit sinologist and cartographer who did his work in China - Michał Boym (c. 1612–1659) – One of the first westerners to travel within the Chinese mainland, and the author of numerous works on Asian fauna, flora and geography.
- Thomas BradwardineThomas BradwardineThomas Bradwardine was an English scholar, scientist, courtier and, very briefly, Archbishop of Canterbury. As a celebrated scholastic philosopher and doctor of theology, he is often called Doctor Profundus, .-Life:He was born either at Hartfield in Sussex or at Chichester, where his family were...
(c. 1290–1349) – Mathematician who contributed to mean speed theorem; one of the Oxford Calculators - Henri BreuilHenri BreuilHenri Édouard Prosper Breuil , often referred to as Abbé Breuil, was a French Catholic priest, archaeologist, anthropologist, ethnologist and geologist...
(1877–1961) – Archaeologist, anthropologist, ethnologist and geologist. - Jan BrożekJan BrozekJan Brożek was a Polish polymath: a mathematician, astronomer, physician, poet, writer, musician and rector of the Kraków Academy.-Life:...
(1585–1652) – Polish polymath, mathematician, astronomer, and physician; the most prominent Polish mathematician of the 17th century - Louis-Ovide BrunetLouis-Ovide BrunetLouis-Ovide Brunet was a French-Canadian botanist and Roman Catholic priest, and is considered one of the founding fathers of Canadian botany....
(1826–1876) – One of the founding fathers of Canadian botany - Francesco Faà di BrunoFrancesco Faà di BrunoFrancesco Faà di Bruno was an Italian mathematician and priest, born at Alessandria. He was of noble birth, and held, at one time, the rank of captain-of-staff in the Sardinian Army. He is the eponym of Faà di Bruno's formula...
(c. 1825–1888) – Mathematician beatified by Pope John Paul II - Giordano BrunoGiordano BrunoGiordano Bruno , born Filippo Bruno, was an Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, mathematician and astronomer. His cosmological theories went beyond the Copernican model in proposing that the Sun was essentially a star, and moreover, that the universe contained an infinite number of inhabited...
(1548–1600) – Dominican philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who believed in the infinity of the universe; burned at the stake for other hereticalHeresyHeresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
views. - Ismaël BullialdusIsmaël BullialdusIsmaël Bullialdus was a French astronomer.Bullialdus was born Ismaël Boulliau in Loudun, Vienne, France, the first surviving son to Calvinists Susanna Motet and Ismaël Boulliau, a notary by profession and amateur astronomer. At age twenty-one he converted to Catholicism, and by twenty-six was...
(1605–1694) – Astronomer and member of the Royal Society; the Bullialdus crater is named in his honor - Jean BuridanJean BuridanJean Buridan was a French priest who sowed the seeds of the Copernican revolution in Europe. Although he was one of the most famous and influential philosophers of the late Middle Ages, he is today among the least well known...
(c. 1300 – after 1358) – Early ideas of momentum and inertial motion; sowed the seeds of the Copernican revolution in Europe - Niccolò CabeoNiccolo CabeoNiccolò Cabeo was an Italian Jesuit philosopher, theologian, engineer and mathematician.-Biography:He was born in Ferrara in 1586, and was educated at the Jesuit college in Parma beginning in 1602...
(1586–1650) – Jesuit mathematician; the crater Cabeus is named in his honor - Nicholas CallanNicholas CallanFather Nicholas Joseph Callan was an Irish priest and scientist from Darver, Co. Louth, Ireland. He was Professor of Natural Philosophy in Maynooth College near Dublin from 1834, and is best known for his work on the induction coil....
(1799–1846) – Best known for his work on the induction coil - Jean Baptiste CarnoyJean Baptiste CarnoyJean Baptiste Carnoy , born in Rumillies , was a Roman Catholic priest and the founder of the science of cytology. He made the initial explanation of the real nature of the albuminoid membrane, and conducted noted experiments on cellular segmentation.- References :* 1910 *...
(1836–1899) – Founder of the science of cytology - Giovanni di CasaliGiovanni di CasaliGiovanni di Casali was a friar in the Franciscan Order, a natural philosopher and a theologian. He entered the order in Genoa and was lecturer in the Franciscan stadium at Assisi from 1335 to 1340. He subsequently was lector at Cambridge ca...
(died c. 1375) – Provided a graphical analysis of the motion of accelerated bodies - Paolo CasatiPaolo CasatiPaolo Casati was an Italian Jesuit mathematician. Born in Piacenza to a Milanese family, he joined the Jesuits in 1634. After completing his mathematical and theological studies, he moved to Rome, where he assumed the position of professor at the Collegio Romano...
(1617–1707) – Jesuit mathematician who wrote on astronomy and vacuums; The crater Casatus on the Moon is named after him. - Laurent CassegrainLaurent CassegrainLaurent Cassegrain was a Catholic priest who is notable as the probable inventor of the Cassegrain reflector, a folded two mirror reflecting telescope design.-Biography:...
(1629–1693) – Probable namesake of the Cassegrain telescope; The crater Cassegrain on the Moon is named after him - Benedetto CastelliBenedetto CastelliBenedetto Castelli , born Antonio Castelli, was an Italian mathematician. He took the name "Benedetto" upon entering the Benedictine Order in 1595....
(1578–1643) – Benedictine mathematician; long-time friend and supporter of Galileo Galilei, who was his teacher; wrote an important work on fluids in motion - Bonaventura CavalieriBonaventura CavalieriBonaventura Francesco Cavalieri was an Italian mathematician. He is known for his work on the problems of optics and motion, work on the precursors of infinitesimal calculus, and the introduction of logarithms to Italy...
(1598–1647) – He is known for his work on the problems of optics and motion, work on the precursors of infinitesimal calculus, and the introduction of logarithms to Italy. Cavalieri's principle in geometry partially anticipated integral calculus; the lunar crater Cavalerius is named in his honor - Antonio José CavanillesAntonio José CavanillesAntonio José Cavanilles was a leading Spanish taxonomic botanist of the 18th century. He named many plants, particularly from Oceania, his name is abbreviated as Cav...
(1745–1804) – A leading Spanish taxonomic botanist of the 18th century - Francesco CettiFrancesco CettiFrancesco Cetti was an Italian Jesuit priest, zoologist and mathematician.Cetti was born in Mannheim in Germany, but his parents were natives of Como. He was educated in Lombardy and at the Jesuit college at Monza. In 1765 he was sent to Sardinia to help improve the standard of education on the...
(1726–1778) – Jesuit zoologist and mathematician - Tommaso CevaTommaso CevaTommaso Ceva was an Italian Jesuit mathematician from Milan. He was the brother of Giovanni Ceva....
(1648–1737) – Jesuit mathematician and professor who wrote treatises on geometry, gravity, and arithmetic - Christopher ClaviusChristopher ClaviusChristopher Clavius was a German Jesuit mathematician and astronomer who was the main architect of the modern Gregorian calendar...
(1538–1612) – Respected Jesuit Astronomer and mathematician who headed the commission that yielded the Gregorian calendar; wrote influential astronomical textbook. - Guy ConsolmagnoGuy ConsolmagnoBrother Guy J. Consolmagno, SJ , is an American research astronomer and planetary scientist at the Vatican Observatory.-Life:...
(1952– ) – Jesuit astronomer and planetary scientist - Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus was a Renaissance astronomer and the first person to formulate a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology which displaced the Earth from the center of the universe....
(1473–1543) –Renaissance astronomer famous for his heliocentric cosmology that set in motion the Copernican Revolution - Vincenzo CoronelliVincenzo CoronelliVincenzo Coronelli was a Franciscan monk, a Venetian cosmographer, cartographer, publisher, and encyclopedist known in particular for his atlases and globes, and who spent most of his life in Venice.-Biography:...
(1650–1718) – Franciscan cosmographer, cartographer, encyclopedist, and globe-maker - George CoyneGeorge CoyneGeorge V. Coyne, S.J. is a Jesuit priest, astronomer, and former director of the Vatican Observatory and head of the observatory’s research group which is based at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.-Scientific education:...
(1933– ) – Jesuit astronomer and former director of the Vatican Observatory - James Cullen (mathematician)James Cullen (mathematician)Father James Cullen, S.J. was born at Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland.He studied mathematics at the Trinity College, Dublin for a while, but eventually turned to theology and was ordained as a Jesuit on 1 July 1901....
(1867–1933) – Jesuit mathematician who published what is now known as Cullen numbers in number theory - James Curley (astronomer)James Curley (astronomer)James Curley was an Irish-American astronomer.He was born at Athleague, County Roscommon, Ireland. His early education was limited, though his talent for mathematics was discovered, and to some extent developed, by a teacher in his native town...
(1796–1889) – First director of Georgetown Observatory; determined the latitude and longitude of Washington D.C. - Albert CurtzAlbert CurtzAlbert Curtz , aka Curtius, was a German astronomer and member of the Society of Jesus. He expanded on the works of Tycho Brahe and used the pseudonym of Lucius Barrettus....
(1600–1671) – Jesuit astronomer who expanded on the works of Tycho Brahe and contributed to early understanding of the moon; The crater Curtius on the Moon is named after him. - Johann Baptist CysatJohann Baptist CysatJohann Baptist Cysat was a Swiss Jesuit mathematician and astronomer, after whom the lunar crater Cysatus is named...
(1587–1657) – Jesuit mathematician and astronomer, after whom the lunar crater Cysatus is named; published the first printed European book concerning Japan; one of the first to make use of the newly developed telescope; most important work was on comets - Jean-Baptiste Chappe d'AuterocheJean-Baptiste Chappe d'AuterocheJean-Baptiste Chappe d'Auteroche was a French astronomer, best known for his observations of the transits of Venus in 1761 and 1769.-Early life:...
(1722-1769) - Astronomer best known for his observations of the transits of Venus - Ignazio DantiIgnazio DantiIgnazio Danti , born Pellegrino Rainaldi Danti, was an Italian priest, mathematician, astronomer, and cosmographer.-Biography:Danti was born in Perugia to a family rich in artists and scientists...
(1536–1586) – Dominican mathematician, astronomer, cosmographer, and cartographer - Armand DavidArmand DavidFather Armand David was a Lazarist missionary Catholic priest as well as a zoologist and a botanist.-General Biography:...
(1826–1900) – Zoologist and botanist who did important work in both areas in China - Charles-Michel de l'ÉpéeCharles-Michel de l'ÉpéeAbbé Charles-Michel de l'Épée was a philanthropic educator of 18th-century France who has become known as the "Father of the Deaf".-Overview:...
(1712–1789) – Known as the "father of the deaf" and established the world's first free school for the deaf - Francesco DenzaFrancesco DenzaFrancesco Denza was an Italian meteorologist and astronomer.He joined the Barnabites at the age of sixteen, and during his theological course at Rome studied at the same time meteorology and astronomy under Father Angelo Secchi...
(1834–1894) – Meteorologist, astronomer, and director of Vatican Observatory - Václav Prokop DivišVáclav Prokop DivišVáclav Prokop Diviš was a Czech priest, theologian and natural scientist.Diviš was born March 26 1698 in Helvíkovice, Bohemia . It has been claimed that the lightning rod he erected in 15 June 1754 was invented independently of Benjamin Franklin, but this has been disputed by other scholars...
(1698–1765) – Studied the lightning rod independent of Franklin; constructed the first electrified musical instrument in history - Johann Dzierzon (1811–1906) – Pioneering apiarist who discovered the phenomenon of parthenogenesis among bees, and designed the first successful movable-frame beehive; has been described as the "father of modern apiculture"
- Honoré FabriHonoré FabriHonoré Fabri was a French Jesuit theologian. He was a mathematician, physicist and controversialist.-Life:...
(1607–1688) – Jesuit mathematician and physicist - Jean-Charles de la FailleJean-Charles de la FailleJean-Charles de la Faille or Jan-Karel della Faille was a Flemish Jesuit mathematician....
(1597–1652) – Jesuit mathematician who determined the center of gravity of the sector of a circle for the first time - Gabriele FalloppioGabriele FalloppioGabriele Falloppio , often known by his Latin name Fallopius, was one of the most important anatomists and physicians of the sixteenth century....
(1523–1562) – One of the most important anatomists and physicians of the sixteenth century. The Fallopian tubes, which extend from the uterus to the ovaries, are named for him. - Gyula FényiGyula FényiFényi Gyula was a Hungarian Jesuit and astronomer. He is also known by the name P. Julius Fenyi SJ.-Life:He was born in Sopron, Hungary, the eleventh child of a merchant family...
(1845–1927) – Jesuit astronomer and director of the Haynald Observatory; noted for his observations of the sun; The crater Fényi on the Moon is named after him - Louis FeuilléeLouis FeuilléeLouis Éconches Feuillée was a French member of the Order of the Minims, explorer, astronomer, geographer, and botanist....
(1660–1732) – Explorer, astronomer, geographer, and botanist - Placidus FixlmillnerPlacidus FixlmillnerPlacidus Fixlmillner was a Benedictine priest and the first astronomer to compute the orbit of Uranus.- Biography :Born in Achleuthen near Kremsmünster, Austria, he was educated in Salzburg, where he displayed an aptitude in mathematics...
(1721–1791) – Benedictine priest and one of the first astronomers to compute the orbit of Uranus - Paolo FrisiPaolo FrisiPaolo Frisi was an Italian mathematician and astronomer.-Biography:Born in Melegnano, Frisi was educated at the local Barnabite monastery and afterwards in that of Padua...
(1728–1784) – Mathematician and astronomer who did significant work in hydraulics - José Gabriel FunesJosé Gabriel FunesFr. José Gabriel Funes, S.J. , an Argentine Jesuit priest and astronomer, is the current director of the Vatican Observatory.-Biography:...
(1963– ) – Jesuit astronomer and current director of the Vatican Observatory - Joseph GalienJoseph GalienJoseph Galien was a Dominican professor of philosophy and theology at the University of Avignon, meteorologist, physicist, and writer on aeronautics.-Biography:...
(1699 – c. 1762) – Dominican professor who wrote on aeronautics, hailstorms, and airships - Jean GalloisJean Gallois-Life:He was abbot of the priory of Cuers and a royal librarian.. He was named to the Académie des sciences in 1669 and elected a member of the Académie française in 1672. Also a member of the Académie des Inscriptions, he became its permanent secretary...
(1632–1707) – French scholar and member of Academie des sciences - Pierre GassendiPierre GassendiPierre Gassendi was a French philosopher, priest, scientist, astronomer, and mathematician. With a church position in south-east France, he also spent much time in Paris, where he was a leader of a group of free-thinking intellectuals. He was also an active observational scientist, publishing the...
(1592–1655) – French astronomer and mathematician who published the first data on the transit of Mercury; best known intellectual project attempted to reconcile Epicurean atomism with Christianity - Agostino GemelliAgostino GemelliAgostino Gemelli was an Italian physician, Franciscan friar and psychologist who was also the founder and chancellor of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan in 1921....
(1878–1959) – Franciscan physician and psychologist; founded Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan - Johannes von GmundenJohannes von GmundenJohannes von Gmunden was a German/Austrian astronomer, mathematician, humanist and early instrument maker.He received the degree of a master of arts at Vienna University in 1406...
(c. 1380–1442) – Mathematician and astronomer who compiled astronomical tables; Asteroid 15955 Johannesgmunden named in his honor - Carlos de Sigüenza y GóngoraCarlos de Sigüenza y GóngoraCarlos de Sigüenza y Góngora was one of the first great intellectuals born in the Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain. A polymath and writer, he held many colonial government and academic positions.-Early career:...
(1645–1700) – Polymath, mathematician, astronomer, and cartographer; drew the first map of all of New Spain - Andrew Gordon (Benedictine)Andrew Gordon (Benedictine)Andrew Gordon was a Scottish Benedictine monk, physicist, and inventor. He made the first electric motor.-Life:...
(1712–1751) – Benedictine monk, physicist, and inventor who made the first electric motor - Christoph GrienbergerChristoph GrienbergerChristoph Grienberger was an Austrian Jesuit astronomer, after whom the crater Gruemberger on the Moon is named.-Biography:Born in Hall in Tirol, in 1580 Christoph...
(1561–1636) – Jesuit astronomer after whom the crater Gruemberger on the Moon is named; verified Galileo's discovery of Jupiter's moons. - Francesco Maria GrimaldiFrancesco Maria GrimaldiFrancesco Maria Grimaldi was an Italian Jesuit priest, mathematician and physicist who taught at the Jesuit college in Bologna....
(1618–1663) – Discovered the diffraction of light, and indeed coined the term "diffraction"; investigated the free fall of objects; built and used instruments to measure geological features on the moon - Robert GrossetesteRobert GrossetesteRobert Grosseteste or Grossetete was an English statesman, scholastic philosopher, theologian and Bishop of Lincoln. He was born of humble parents at Stradbroke in Suffolk. A.C...
(c. 1175 – 1253) – One of the most knowledgeable men of the Middle Ages; has been called "the first man to write down a complete set of steps for performing a scientific experiment." - Paul GuldinPaul GuldinPaul Guldin was a Swiss Jesuit mathematician and astronomer. He discovered the Guldinus theorem to determine the surface and the volume of a solid of revolution. This theorem is also known as Pappus–Guldinus theorem and Pappus's centroid theorem, attributed to Pappus of Alexandria...
(1577–1643) – Jesuit mathematician and astronomer who discovered the Guldinus theorem to determine the surface and the volume of a solid of revolution - Bartolomeu de GusmãoBartolomeu de GusmãoBartolomeu Lourenço de Gusmão , was a priest and naturalist born in the then Portuguese colony of Brazil, noted for his early work on lighter-than-air airship design....
(1685–1724) – Known for his early work on lighter-than-air airship design - Johann Georg HagenJohann Georg HagenJohann Georg Hagen was an eminent American astronomer and Catholic priest.-Early life:Johann Georg Hagen was born in Bregenz, Austria. He was the son of a school teacher.-Entering the Jesuit Order:...
(1847–1930) – Director of the Georgetown and Vatican Observatories; The crater Hagen on the Moon is named after him. - Nicholas HalmaNicholas HalmaNicholas Halma was a mathematician and translator.He was educated at the College of Plessis, Paris, took Holy orders, and received the title of Abbé. In 1791 he became principal of Sedan College. When this school closed in 1793, he went to Paris and entered military service as surgeon...
(1755–1828) – French mathematician and translator - Jean-Baptiste du HamelJean-Baptiste du HamelJean-Baptiste Du Hamel, Duhamel or du Hamel was a notable French cleric and natural philosopher of the late seventeenth century, and the first secretary of the Academie Royale des Sciences...
(1624–1706) – French natural philosopher and secretary of the Academie Royale des Sciences - René Just HaüyRené Just HaüyRené Just Haüy – 3 June 1822 in Paris) was a French mineralogist, commonly styled the Abbé Haüy after he was made an honorary canon of Notre Dame. He is often referred to as the "Father of Modern Crystallography." -Biography:...
(1743–1822) – Father of crystallographyCrystallographyCrystallography is the experimental science of the arrangement of atoms in solids. The word "crystallography" derives from the Greek words crystallon = cold drop / frozen drop, with its meaning extending to all solids with some degree of transparency, and grapho = write.Before the development of... - Maximilian HellMaximilian HellMaximilian Hell, S.J. was a Hungarian astronomer and an ordained Jesuit priest from the Kingdom of Hungary.- Biography :...
(1720–1792) – Jesuit astronomer and director of the Vienna Observatory; the crater Hell on the Moon is named after him. - Michał Heller (1936– ) – Templeton Prize winner and prolific writer on numerous scientific topics
- Lorenz HenglerLorenz HenglerLorenz Hengler was a Catholic priest who is often credited as the inventor of the horizontal pendulum....
(1806–1858) – Often credited as the inventor of the horizontal pendulum - Hermann of ReichenauHermann of ReichenauHermann of Reichenau , also called Hermannus Contractus or Hermannus Augiensis or Herman the Cripple, was an 11th century scholar, composer, music theorist, mathematician, and astronomer. He composed the Marian prayer Alma Redemptoris Mater...
(1013–1054) – Historian, music theorist, astronomer, and mathematician - Pierre Marie HeudePierre Marie HeudePierre Marie Heude was a French Jesuit missionary and zoologist.Born at Fougères in the Department of Ille-et-Vilaine, Heude became a Jesuit in 1856 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1867. He went to China in 1868...
(1836–1902) – Jesuit missionary and zoologist who studied the natural history of Eastern Asia - Franz von Paula HladnikFranz von Paula HladnikFranz von Paula Hladnik was a Slovene botanist and schoolmaster.He was born in Idria, Carniola, then in Austria , the son of a mining official. He studied philosophy and theology and became a priest in 1796...
(1773–1844) – Botanist who discovered several new kinds of plants, and certain genera have been named after him - Giovanni Battista HodiernaGiovanni Battista HodiernaGiovanni Battista Hodierna was an Italian astronomer at the court of the Duke of Montechiaro. He compiled a catalog of some 40 entries, including at least 19 real and verifiable nebulous objects that might be confused with comets. The work anticipated Messier's catalogue, but had little impact...
(1597–1660) – Astronomer who catalogued nebulous objects and developed an early microscope - Victor-Alphonse HuardVictor-Alphonse HuardVictor-Alphonse Huard was a French-Canadian churchman, naturalist, writer and editor. He was a popular educator and promoter of the natural sciences, although his anti-evolutionist stance garnered him criticism both in Quebec and elsewhere...
(1853–1929) – Naturalist, educator, writer, and promoter of the natural sciences - Maximus von ImhofMaximus von ImhofMaximus von Imhof , born at Reisbach, in Bavaria, was a German physicist. He taught in the monastery in Munich from 1786 to 1791.-See also:*List of Roman Catholic scientist-clerics...
(1758–1817) – German Augustinian physicist and director of the Munich Academy of Sciences - Giovanni InghiramiGiovanni InghiramiGiovanni Inghirami was an Italian astronomer, and a Piarist religious. There is a valley on the moon named after him as well as a crater.-Life:...
(1779–1851) – Italian astronomer; there is a valley on the moon named after him as well as a crater - François JacquierFrançois JacquierFrançois Jacquier was a French Franciscan mathematician and physicist.-Life:...
(1711–1788) – Franciscan mathematician and physicist; at his death he was connected with nearly all the great scientific and literary societies of Europe - Stanley JakiStanley JakiStanley L. Jaki, OSB was a Benedictine priest and Distinguished Professor of Physics at Seton Hall University, New Jersey since 1975...
(1924–2009) – Benedictine priest and prolific writer who wrote on the relationship between science and theology - Ányos JedlikÁnyos JedlikStephen Ányos Jedlik was a Hungarian inventor, engineer, physicist, and Benedictine priest. He was also member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, and author of several books. He is considered by Hungarians and Slovaks to be the unsung father of the dynamo and electric motor.-Career:He was born...
(1800–1895) – Benedictine engineer, physicist, and inventor; considered by Hungarians and Slovaks to be the unsung father of the dynamo and electric motor - Georg Joseph KamelGeorg Joseph KamelGeorg Joseph Kamel , also known as Camellus, was a Jesuit missionary and botanist to the Philippines. The genus Camellia was named in his honour by Carolus Linnaeus....
(1661–1706) – Jesuit missionary and botanist who established the first pharmacy in the Philippines - Otto KippesOtto KippesOtto Kippes was a German Catholic priest and amateur astronomer. He was acknowledged especially for his work in asteroid orbit calculations, which brought him the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 1991. The main belt asteroid 1780 Kippes was named in his honour...
(1905–1994) – Acknowledged for his work in asteroid orbit calculations; the main belt asteroid 1780 Kippes was named in his honour - Athanasius KircherAthanasius KircherAthanasius Kircher was a 17th century German Jesuit scholar who published around 40 works, most notably in the fields of oriental studies, geology, and medicine...
(1602–1680) – The father of Egyptology; "Master of a hundred arts"; wrote an encyclopedia of China; one of the first people to observe microbes through a microscope - Wenceslas Pantaleon KirwitzerWenceslas Pantaleon KirwitzerWenceslas Pantaleon Kirwitzer was an astronomer and a Jesuit missionary.- Life :Kirwitzer was born in Kadaň , Bohemia to a protestant family descended from the village of Krbice so his surname was derived from "Kürbitzer"...
(1588–1626) – Jesuit astronomer and missionary who published observations of comets - Jan Krzysztof KlukJan Krzysztof KlukJan Krzysztof Kluk was a Polish naturalist agronomist and entomologist.He was the son of Jan Krzysztof and Marianna Elżbieta. His father, a nobleman turned poor, was an architect, mainly of churches. Jan Krzysztof Kluk went to school in Warsaw, later in Drohiczyn, and finally in the Piarists...
(1739–1796) – Naturalist agronomist and entomologist who wrote a multi-volume work on Polish animal life - Sebastian KneippSebastian KneippSebastian Kneipp was a Bavarian priest and one of the founders of the Naturopathic medicine movement...
(1821–1897) – One of the founders of the Naturopathic medicine movement - Marian Wolfgang KollerMarian Wolfgang KollerMarian Wolfgang Koller was a scientist and educator....
(1792–1866) – Professor who wrote on astronomy, physics, and meteorology - Franz Xaver KuglerFranz Xaver KuglerFranz Xaver Kugler was a German chemist, mathematician, Assyriologist, and Jesuit priest.Kugler was born in Königsbach, Palatinate, then part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1885, and the following year he entered the Jesuits. By 1893 he had been ordained as a priest...
(1862–1929) – Jesuit chemist, mathematician, and Assyriologist who is most noted for his studies of cuneiform tablets and Babylonian astronomy - Nicolas Louis de LacailleNicolas Louis de LacailleAbbé Nicolas Louis de Lacaille was a French astronomer.He is noted for his catalogue of nearly 10,000 southern stars, including 42 nebulous objects. This catalogue, called Coelum Australe Stelliferum, was published posthumously in 1763. It introduced 14 new constellations which have since become...
(1713-1762) - French astronomer noted for cataloguing stars, nebulous objects, and constellations - Eugene LafontEugene LafontEugene Lafont was a Belgian Jesuit, Missionary in Bengal, scientist and founder of the first Scientific Society in India.-Formation and early years:...
(1837–1908) – Jesuit physicist, astronomer, and founder of the first Scientific Society in India - Antoine de LaloubèreAntoine de LaloubèreAntoine de Laloubère , a Jesuit, born in Languedoc, is chiefly known for an incorrect solution of Pascal's problems on the cycloid, which he gave in 1660, but he has a better claim to distinction in having been the first mathematician to study the properties of the helix.De Laloubère died at...
(1600–1664) – The first mathematician to study the properties of the helix - Bernard Lamy (1640–1715) – Philosopher and mathematician who wrote on the parallelogram of forces
- Pierre André LatreillePierre André LatreillePierre André Latreille was a French zoologist, specialising in arthropods. Having trained as a Roman Catholic priest before the French Revolution, Latreille was imprisoned, and only regained his freedom after recognising a rare species he found in the prison, Necrobia ruficollis...
(1762–1833) – Entomologist whose works describing insects assigned many of the insect taxa still in use today - Georges LemaîtreGeorges LemaîtreMonsignor Georges Henri Joseph Édouard Lemaître was a Belgian priest, astronomer and professor of physics at the Catholic University of Louvain. He was the first person to propose the theory of the expansion of the Universe, widely misattributed to Edwin Hubble...
(1894–1966) – Father of the Big Bang Theory - Thomas LinacreThomas LinacreThomas Linacre was a humanist scholar and physician, after whom Linacre College, Oxford and Linacre House The King's School, Canterbury are named....
(c. 1460–1524) – Humanist translator and physician - Francis LineFrancis LineFrancis Line , also known as Linus of Liège, was a Jesuit priest and scientist. He is known for inventing a magnetic clock. He is noted as a contemporary critic of the theories and work of Isaac Newton....
(1595–1675) – Magnetic clock and sundial maker who disagreed with some of the findings of Newton and Boyle - Juan Caramuel y LobkowitzJuan Caramuel y LobkowitzJuan Caramuel y Lobkowitz was a Spanish Catholic scholastic philosopher, ecclesiastic, mathematician and writer.-Life:...
(1606–1682) – Prolific writer on a variety of scientific subjects; a earlier writer on probability - Jean MabillonJean MabillonJean Mabillon was a French Benedictine monk and scholar, considered the founder of palaeography and diplomatics.-Early career:...
(1632–1707) – Benedictine monk and scholar, considered the founder of palaeographyPalaeographyPalaeography, also spelt paleography is the study of ancient writing. Included in the discipline is the practice of deciphering, reading, and dating historical manuscripts, and the cultural context of writing, including the methods with which writing and books were produced, and the history of...
and diplomaticsDiplomaticsDiplomatics , or Diplomatic , is the study that revolves around documentation. It is a study that focuses on the analysis of document creation, its inner constitutions and form, the means of transmitting information, and the relationship documented facts have with their creator... - James B. MacelwaneJames B. MacelwaneJames B. Macelwane, S.J. was an American seismologist.Father Macelwane organized the Jesuit Seismological Service, whose central station is in St. Louis, Missouri.-External links:*...
(1883–1956) – "The best-known Jesuit seismologist" and "one of the most honored practicioners of the science of all time"; wrote the first textbook on seismology in America. - Paul McNallyPaul McNallyPaul A. McNally was an American astronomer and a Jesuit priest.In 1928 he became the director of the Georgetown Observatory, and he led research that was focused on solar eclipses. He was a professor of astronomy at Georgetown University, and later became Vice President at the institution...
(1890–1955) – Jesuit astronomer and director of Georgetown Observatory; the crater McNally on the Moon is named after him. - Pierre MacqPierre MacqPierre Macq , Belgian physicist, was the rector of the Universite Catholique de Louvain from 1986 until 1995...
(1930– ) – Physicist who was awarded the Francqui Prize on Exact Sciences for his work on experimental nuclear physics - Manuel MagriManuel MagriFr Emmanuel Magri, S.J. was a Maltese ethnographer, archaeologist and writer....
(1851–1907) – Jesuit ethnographer, archaeologist and writer; one of Malta's pioneers in archaeology - Emmanuel MaignanEmmanuel MaignanEmmanuel Maignan was a French physicist and Catholic Minimite theologian....
(1601–1676) – Physicist and professor of medicine who published works on gnomonics and perspective - Charles MalapertCharles MalapertCharles Malapert was a Belgian Jesuit writer, astronomer and proponent of Aristotelian cosmology. He was considered one of the intellectual champions of the Roman Catholic Church...
(1581–1630) – Jesuit writer, astronomer, and proponent of Aristotelian cosmology; also known for observations of sunpots and of the lunar surface, and the crater Malapert on the Moon is named after him - Nicolas MalebrancheNicolas MalebrancheNicolas Malebranche ; was a French Oratorian and rationalist philosopher. In his works, he sought to synthesize the thought of St. Augustine and Descartes, in order to demonstrate the active role of God in every aspect of the world...
(1638–1715) – Philosopher who studied physics, optics, and the laws of motion; disseminated the ideas of Descartes and Leibniz - Marcin of UrzędówMarcin of UrzedówMarcin of Urzędów was a Polish Roman Catholic priest, physician, pharmacist and botanist known especially for his Herbarz polski ....
(c. 1500–1573) – Physician, pharmacist, and botanist - Joseph MaréchalJoseph MaréchalJoseph Maréchal was a Belgian Jesuit priest, philosopher and psychologist at the Higher Institute of Philosophy of the University of Leuven who founded a school of thought called Transcendental Thomism, which attempted to merge the theological and philosophical thought of St...
(1878–1944) – Jesuit philosopher and psychologist - Marie-VictorinMarie-VictorinBrother Marie-Victorin was a De La Salle Christian Brother and botanist in Quebec, Canada, best known as the father of the Jardin botanique de Montréal....
(1885–1944) – Botanist best known as the father of the Jardin botanique de Montréal - Edme MariotteEdme MariotteEdme Mariotte was a French physicist and priest.- Biography :Edme Mariotte was the youngest son of Simon Mariotte, administrator at the district Til-Châtel , and Catherine Denisot . His parents lived in Til-Châtel and had 4 other children: Jean, Denise, Claude, and Catharine...
(c. 1620–1684) – Physicist who recognized Boyle's Law and wrote about the nature of color - Francesco MaurolicoFrancesco MaurolicoFrancesco Maurolico was a Greek mathematician and astronomer of Sicily. Throughout his lifetime, he made contributions to the fields of geometry, optics, conics, mechanics, music, and astronomy...
(1494–1575) – Made contributions to the fields of geometry, optics, conics, mechanics, music, and astronomy; gave the first known proof by mathematical induction - Christian Mayer (astronomer) (1719–1783) – Jesuit astronomer most noted for pioneering the study of binary stars
- Gregor MendelGregor MendelGregor Johann Mendel was an Austrian scientist and Augustinian friar who gained posthumous fame as the founder of the new science of genetics. Mendel demonstrated that the inheritance of certain traits in pea plants follows particular patterns, now referred to as the laws of Mendelian inheritance...
(1822–1884) – Augustinian monk and father of genetics - Pietro MengoliPietro MengoliPietro Mengoli was an Italian mathematician and clergyman from Bologna, where he studied with Bonaventura Cavalieri at the University of Bologna, and succeeded him in 1647...
(1626–1686) – Mathematician who first posed the famous Basel Problem - Giuseppe MercalliGiuseppe MercalliGiuseppe Mercalli was an Italian volcanologist. He is best remembered today for his Mercalli scale for measuring earthquakes which is still used today.-Biography:...
(1850–1914) – Volcanologist and director of the Vesuvius Observatory; best remembered today for his Mercalli scale for measuring earthquakes which is still in use - Marin MersenneMarin MersenneMarin Mersenne, Marin Mersennus or le Père Mersenne was a French theologian, philosopher, mathematician and music theorist, often referred to as the "father of acoustics"...
(1588–1648) – Philosopher, mathematician, and music theorist who is often referred to as the "father of acoustics" - Paul of MiddelburgPaul of MiddelburgPaul of Middelburg was a Flemish scientist and bishop of Fossombrone.-Biography and work:Paul was born in 1446 at Middelburg, the ancient capital of the province of Zeeland, belonging then to the Holy Roman Empire, now to the Netherlands. His family name is unknown, but in one place he is called...
(1446–1534) – Wrote important works on the reform of the Calendar - Maciej MiechowitaMaciej MiechowitaMaciej Miechowita was a Polish renaissance scholar, professor of Jagiellonian University, historian, chronicler, geographer, medical doctor , alchemist, astrologist and canon in Cracow.He studied at the...
(1457–1523) – Wrote the first accurate geographical and ethnographical description of Eastern Europe; also wrote two medical treatises - François-Napoléon-Marie MoignoFrançois-Napoléon-Marie MoignoFrançois-Napoléon-Marie Moigno known as Abbé Moigno was a French Jesuitphysicist and author. He considered himself a student of Cauchy.-Life:...
(1804–1884) – Jesuit physicist and mathematician; was an expositor of science and translator rather than an original investigator - Juan Ignacio MolinaJuan Ignacio MolinaFr. Juan Ignacio Molina was a Chilean Jesuit priest, naturalist, historian, botanist, ornithologist and geographer...
(1740–1829) – Jesuit naturalist, historian, botanist, ornithologist and geographer - Louis MorériLouis MorériLouis Moréri was a French encyclopaedist.His encyclopaedia, Le grand Dictionaire historique, ou le mélange curieux de l'histoire sacrée et profane was first published in Lyon in 1674. The encyclopaedia focused particularly on historical and biographical articles...
(1643–1680) – 17th century encyclopaedist - Théodore MoretThéodore MoretThéodore Moret, also known as Moretus was a Belgian mathematician and Jesuit. He was born in Antwerp, but spent most of his working life in Prague, in the Kingdom of Bohemia....
(1602–1667) – Jesuit mathematician and author of the first mathematical dissertations ever defended in Prague; the lunar crater Moretus is named after him. - Landell de Moura (1861–1928) – Inventor who was the first to accomplish the transmission of the human voice by a wireless machine
- Gabriel MoutonGabriel MoutonGabriel Mouton was a French abbot and scientist. He was a doctor of theology from Lyon, but was also interested in mathematics and astronomy....
(1618–1694) – Mathematician, astronomer, and early proponent of the metric system - Jozef MurgašJozef MurgašJozef Murgaš was a Slovak inventor, architect, botanist, painter, patriot, and Roman Catholic priest...
(1864–1929) – Contributed to wireless telegraphy and help develop mobile communications and wireless transmission of information and human voice - José Celestino MutisJosé Celestino Mutis-External links:*** at The Catholic Encyclopedia official site...
(1732–1808) – Botanist and mathematician who led the Royal Botanical Expedition of the New World - Jean François NiceronJean François NiceronJean-François Niceron was a French mathematician, Minim friar, and painter of anamorphic art, on which he wrote the first book .Jean Pierre-Niceron was his nephew Jean-Pierre Nicéron...
(1613–1646) – Mathematician who studied geometrical optics - Nicholas of CusaNicholas of CusaNicholas of Kues , also referred to as Nicolaus Cusanus and Nicholas of Cusa, was a cardinal of the Catholic Church from Germany , a philosopher, theologian, jurist, mathematician, and an astronomer. He is widely considered one of the great geniuses and polymaths of the 15th century...
(1401–1464) – Cardinal, philosopher, jurist, mathematician, and astronomer; one of the great geniuses and polymaths of the 15th century - Julius NieuwlandJulius NieuwlandReverend Julius Aloysius Nieuwland, CSC, Ph.D., was a Belgian-born Holy Cross priest and professor of chemistry and botany at the University of Notre Dame...
(1878–1936) – Holy CrossCongregation of Holy CrossThe Congregation of Holy Cross or Congregatio a Sancta Cruce is a Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in 1837 by Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau, CSC, in Le Mans, France....
priest, known for his contributions to acetylene research and its use as the basis for one type of synthetic rubber, which eventually led to the invention of neoprene by DuPont - Jean-Antoine NolletJean-Antoine NolletJean-Antoine Nollet was a French clergyman and physicist. As a priest, he was also known as Abbé Nollet. He was particularly interested in the new science of electricity, which he explored with the help of Du Fay and Réaumur...
(1700–1770) – Physicist who discovered the phenomenon of osmosis in natural membranes. - Hugo ObermaierHugo ObermaierHugo Obermaier was a distinguished prehistorian and anthropologist who taught at various European centres of learning...
(1877–1946) – Distinguished prehistorian and anthropologist who is known for his work on the diffusion of mankind in Europe during the Ice Age, and in connection with north Spanish cave art - William of OckhamWilliam of OckhamWilliam of Ockham was an English Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher, who is believed to have been born in Ockham, a small village in Surrey. He is considered to be one of the major figures of medieval thought and was at the centre of the major intellectual and political controversies of...
(c. 1288 – c. 1348) – Franciscan Scholastic who wrote significant works on logic, physics, and theology; known for Ockham's Razor - Nicole Oresme (c. 1323–1382) – One of the most famous and influential philosophers of the later Middle Ages; economist, mathematician, physicist, astronomer, philosopher, theologian and Bishop of Lisieux, and competent translator; one of the most original thinkers of the 14th century
- Barnaba OrianiBarnaba Oriani__FORCETOC__Barnaba Oriani was an Italian priest, geodesist, astronomer and scientist.-Life:Oriani was born in Garegnano , the son of a mason, and died in Milan....
(1752–1832) – Geodesist, astronomer and scientist; greatest achievement was his detailed research of the planet Uranus; known for Oriani's theorem - Luca PacioliLuca PacioliFra Luca Bartolomeo de Pacioli was an Italian mathematician, Franciscan friar, collaborator with Leonardo da Vinci, and seminal contributor to the field now known as accounting...
(c. 1446–1517) – Often regarded as the Father of Accounting; published several works on mathematics - Ignace-Gaston PardiesIgnace-Gaston PardiesIgnace-Gaston Pardies was a French scientist. He died of fever contracted whilst ministering to the prisoners of Bicêtre Hospital, near Paris.He was born in Pau, the son of an advisor at the local assembly...
(1636–1673) – Physicist known for his correspondence with Newton and Descartes - Franciscus Patricius (1529–1597) – Cosmic theorist, philosopher, and Renaissance scholar
- John PeckhamJohn PeckhamJohn Peckham was Archbishop of Canterbury in the years 1279–1292. He was a native of Sussex who was educated at Lewes Priory and became a Franciscan friar about 1250. He studied at Paris under Bonaventure, where he later taught theology. From his teaching, he came into conflict with Thomas...
(1230–1292) – Archbishop of Canterbury and early practitioner of experimental science - Nicolas Claude Fabri de Peiresc (1580–1637) – Astromer who discovered the Orion Nebula; lunar crater Peirescius named in his honor
- Stephen Joseph PerryStephen Joseph PerryStephen Joseph Perry was an English Jesuit, known as a participant in scientific expeditions.-Life:...
(1833–1889) – Jesuit astronomer and Fellow of the Royal Society; made frequent observations of Jupiter's satellites, of stellar occultations, of comets, of meteorites, of sun spots, and faculae - Giambattista PiancianiGiambattista PiancianiGiambattista Pianciani was an Italian Jesuit scientist....
(1784–1862) – Jesuit mathematician and physicist - Giuseppe PiazziGiuseppe PiazziGiuseppe Piazzi was an Italian Catholic priest of the Theatine order, mathematician, and astronomer. He was born in Ponte in Valtellina, and died in Naples. He established an observatory at Palermo, now the Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo – Giuseppe S...
(1746–1826) – Theatine mathematician and astronomer who discovered Ceres, today known as the largest member of the asteroid belt; also did important work cataloguing stars - Jean PicardJean PicardJean-Felix Picard was a French astronomer and priest born in La Flèche, where he studied at the Jesuit Collège Royal Henry-Le-Grand. He was the first person to measure the size of the Earth to a reasonable degree of accuracy in a survey conducted in 1669–70, for which he is honored with a...
(1620–1682) – First person to measure the size of the Earth to a reasonable degree of accuracy; also developed what became the standard method for measuring the right ascension of a celestial object; The PICARD mission, an orbiting solar observatory, is named in his honor - Edward PigotEdward PigotEdward Francis Pigot was an Irish-born Australian Jesuit priest, seismologist and astronomer. He was president of the New South Wales branch of the British Astronomical Association in 1923-24 and a council member of the Royal Society of New South Wales from 1921 to 1929.Pigot was born in Dundrum,...
(1858–1929) – Jesuit seismologist and astronomer - Alexandre Guy PingréAlexandre Guy PingréAlexandre Guy Pingré was a French astronomer, priest, and naval geographer.He was born in Paris, France, and was educated at Senlis, where he became professor of theology in 1735. At an early age he had developed an interest in astronomy, and in 1749 he was appointed professor of astronomy at the...
(1711–1796) – French astronomer and naval geographer; the crater Pingré on the Moon is named after him, as is the asteroid 12719 Pingré - Jean Baptiste François PitraJean Baptiste Francois PitraJean Baptiste Francois Pitra was a French Catholic cardinal, archaeologist and theologian.He was born in Champforgeuil. Joining the Benedictine Order, he entered the Abbey of Solesmes in 1842, and was collaborator of Abbe Migne in the latter's Patrologia latina and Patrologia Graeca...
(1812–1889) – Bendedictine cardinal, archaeologist and theologian who noteworthy for his great archaeological discoveries - Charles PlumierCharles PlumierCharles Plumier was a French botanist, after whom the Frangipani genus Plumeria is named. Plumier is considered one of the most important of the botanical explorers of his time...
(1646–1704) – Considered one of the most important botanical explorers of his time - Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt (1728–1810) – Jesuit astronomer and mathematician; granted the title of the King's Astronomer; the crater Poczobutt on the Moon is named after him.
- Léon Abel ProvancherLéon Abel ProvancherLéon Abel Provancher was a Canadian Catholic parish priest and naturalist. He studied at the College and Seminary of Nicolet, and was ordained 12 September 1844.-Life:He organized two pilgrimages to Jerusalem, one of which he conducted in person...
(1820–1892) – Naturalist devoted to the study and description of the fauna and flora of Canada; his pioneer work won for him the appellation of the "Father of Natural History in Canada" - Louis ReceveurLouis ReceveurClaude-Francois Joseph Louis Receveur was a French Franciscan priest, naturalist and astronomer who sailed with Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse....
(1757–1788) – Franciscan naturalist and astronomer; described as being as close as one could get to being an ecologist in the 18th century - Franz ReinzerFranz ReinzerFranz Reinzer was an Austrian Jesuit professor of rhetoric, philosophy, and theology at Linz, Graz, Vienna, and Krems.His Meteorologia philosophico-politica, in duodecim differtationes per quaestiones meteorologicas & conclusiones politicas divisa, appositisque was first published in 1697...
(1661–1708) – Wrote an in-depth meteorological, astrological, and political compendium covering topics such as comets, meteors, lightning, winds, fossils, metals, bodies of water, and subterranean treasures and secrets of the earth - Louis RenduLouis RenduLouis Rendu was French Roman Catholic bishop of Annecy and a scientist. He was the author of Theorie des glaciers de la Savoie, an important book on the mechanisms of glacial motion....
(1789–1859) – Bishop who wrote an important book on the mechanisms of glacial motion; the Rendu Glacier, Alaska, U.S. and Mount Rendu, Antarctica are named for him - Vincenzo RiccatiVincenzo RiccatiVincenzo Riccati was an Italian mathematician and physicist. He was the brother of Giordano Riccati, and the second son of Jacopo Riccati....
(1707–1775) – Italian mathematician and physicist - Matteo RicciMatteo RicciMatteo Ricci, SJ was an Italian Jesuit priest, and one of the founding figures of the Jesuit China Mission, as it existed in the 17th-18th centuries. His current title is Servant of God....
(1552–1610) – One of the founding fathers of the Jesuit China Mission; co-author of the first European-Chinese dictionary - Giovanni Battista RiccioliGiovanni Battista RiccioliGiovanni Battista Riccioli was an Italian astronomer and a Catholic priest in the Jesuit order...
(1598–1671) – Astronomer who authored Almagestum novum, an influential encyclopedia of astronomy; The first person to measure the rate of acceleration of a freely falling body; created a selenograph with Father Grimaldi that now adorns the entrance at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. - Richard of WallingfordRichard of WallingfordRichard of Wallingford was an English mathematician who made major contributions to astronomy/astrology and horology while serving as abbot of St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire.-Biography:...
(1292-1336) - Renowned clockmaker and one of the initiators of Western Trigonometry - Johannes RuyschJohannes RuyschJohannes Ruysch , a.k.a. Johann Ruijsch or Giovanni Ruisch was an explorer, cartographer, astronomer, manuscript illustrator and painter from the Low Countries who produced a famous map of the world: the second oldest known printed representation of the New World...
(c. 1460–1533) – Explorer, cartographer, and astronomer who created the second oldest known printed representation of the New World - Giovanni Girolamo SaccheriGiovanni Girolamo SaccheriGiovanni Girolamo Saccheri was an Italian Jesuit priest, scholastic philosopher, and mathematician....
(1667–1733) – Jesuit mathematician and geometer - Johannes de SacroboscoJohannes de SacroboscoJohannes de Sacrobosco or Sacro Bosco was a scholar, monk, and astronomer who taught at the University of Paris and wrote the authoritative mediaeval astronomy text Tractatus de Sphaera.-Origins:Although described as English, his birthplace is unknown because Sacrobosco is...
(c. 1195 – c. 1256) – Irish monk and astronomer who wrote the authoritative medieval astronomy text Tractatus de Sphaera; his Algorismus was the first text to introduce Hindu-Arabic numerals and procedures into the European university curriculum; the lunar crater Sacrobosco is named after him - Gregoire de Saint-VincentGrégoire de Saint-VincentGrégoire de Saint-Vincent , a Jesuit, was a mathematician who discovered that the area under a rectangular hyperbola is the same over [a,b] as over [c,d] when a/b = c/d...
(1584–1667) – Jesuit mathematician who made important contributions to the study of the hyperbola - Alphonse Antonio de SarasaAlphonse Antonio de SarasaAlphonse Antonio de Sarasa was a Jesuit mathematician who contributed to the understanding of logarithms, particularly as areas under a hyperbola....
(1618–1667) – Jesuit mathematician who contributed to the understanding of logarithms - Christoph ScheinerChristoph ScheinerChristoph Scheiner SJ was a Jesuit priest, physicist and astronomer in Ingolstadt....
(c. 1573–1650) – Jesuit physicist, astronomer, and inventor of the pantograph; wrote on a wide range of scientific subjects - George SchoenerGeorge SchoenerGeorge Schoener, or Georg Schöner was a German-born Roman Catholic priest who became known in the United States as the "Padre of the Roses" for his experiments in rose breeding, especially in the use of wild species...
(1864–1941) – Became known in the United States as the "Padre of the Roses" for his experiments in rose breeding - Gaspar SchottGaspar SchottGaspar Schott was a German Jesuit and scientist, specializing in the fields of physics, mathematics and natural philosophy, and known for his piety.-Biography:...
(1608–1666) – Jesuit physicist, astronomer, and natural philosopher who is most widely known for his works on hydraulic and mechanical instruments - Franz Paula von SchrankFranz Paula von SchrankFranz von Paula Schrank was a German botanist and entomologist.Schrank was the first director of the botanical gardens in Munich from 1809 to 1832.Shrank was the first author to use the genus name Triops...
(1747–1835) – Botanist, entomologist, and prolific writer - Berthold SchwarzBerthold SchwarzBerthold Schwarz is a legendary or semi-legendary German alchemist of the late 14th century, credited with the invention of gunpowder in literature of the 15th and 16th centuries....
(c. 14th century) – Franciscan friar and reputed inventor of gunpowder and firearms - Anton Maria Schyrleus of RheitaAnton Maria Schyrleus of RheitaAnton Maria Schyrleus of Rheita was an astronomer and optician. He developed several inverting and erecting eyepieces, and was the maker of Kepler’s telescope...
(1604–1660) – Astronomer and optrician who built Kepler's telescope - George Mary SearleGeorge Mary SearleGeorge Mary Searle was an American astronomer and clergyman.He discovered the asteroid 55 Pandora in 1858. He also discovered six galaxies. In later life he became a member of the Paulist order and taught at the Catholic University of America.-External links:*...
(1839–1918) – Paulist astronomer and professor who discovered six galaxies - Angelo SecchiAngelo Secchi-External links:...
(1818–1878) – Pioneer in astronomical spectroscopy, and was one of the first scientists to state authoritatively that the Sun is a star - Alessandro SerpieriAlessandro SerpieriAlessandro Serpieri was an Italian scientist known for work in astronomy and seismology.-Early life:...
(1823–1885) – Astronomer and seismologist who studied shooting stars, and was the first to introduce the concept of the seismic radiant - Gerolamo SersaleGerolamo SersaleGerolamo Sersale was an Italian Jesuit astronomer and selenographer. His surname is from a noble Neapolitan family that originated in Sorrento. The town Sersale, a commune in the southern Italian province of Catanzaro, was founded in 1620. A Jesuit priest, Sersale drew a fairly precise map of...
(1584–1654) – Jesuit astronomer and selenographer; his map of the moon can be seen in the Naval Observatory of San Fernando; the lunar crater Sirsalis is named after him - Benedict SestiniBenedict SestiniBenedict Sestini was a Jesuit astronomer, mathematician and architect, who worked in Italy and the US.-Career:...
(1816–1890) – Jesuit astronomer, mathematician and architect; studied sunspots and eclipses; wrote textbooks on a variety of mathematical subjects - René François Walter de SluseRené François Walter de SluseRené François Walter de Sluse was a French mathematician, intellectual and clergyman who wrote many books about mathematics and contributed to the development of mathematics.He studied at a university in Rome, and later moved to Liège...
(1622–1685) – Mathematician with a family of curves named after him - Lazzaro SpallanzaniLazzaro SpallanzaniLazzaro Spallanzani was an Italian Catholic priest, biologist and physiologist who made important contributions to the experimental study of bodily functions, animal reproduction, and essentially discovered echolocation...
(1729–1799) – Biologist and physiologist who made important contributions to the experimental study of bodily functions, animal reproduction, and essentially discovered echolocation; his research of biogenesis paved the way for the investigations of Louis Pasteur - Valentin StanselValentin StanselValentin Stansel was a Czech Jesuit astronomer who worked in Brazil.-Biography:Stansel was born in Olomouc, Moravia. He entered the Society of Jesus on 1 October 1637, and taught rhetoric and mathematics at University of Olomouc and in Prague...
(1621–1705) – Jesuit astronomer who made important observations of comets - Johan SteinJohan SteinJohan Willem Jakob Antoon Stein was a Dutch astronomer and a member of the Society of Jesus.He was born in Grave, Netherlands and spend his youth in Maastricht. In 1894 he finished a course of ecclesiastical philosophy, then studied astronomy at the University of Leyden...
(1871–1951) – Jesuit astronomer and director of the Vatican Observatory, which he modernized and relocated to Castel Gandolfo; the crater Stein on the far side of the Moon is named after him - Nicolas StenoNicolas StenoNicolas Steno |Latinized]] to Nicolaus Steno -gen. Nicolai Stenonis-, Italian Niccolo' Stenone) was a Danish pioneer in both anatomy and geology. Already in 1659 he decided not to accept anything simply written in a book, instead resolving to do research himself. He is considered the father of...
(1638–1686) – Often called the father of geology and stratigraphy ("Steno's principles"); beatified by Pope John Paul II - Pope Sylvester II (c. 946–1003) – Prolific scholar who endorsed and promoted Arabic knowledge of arithmetic, mathematics, and astronomy in Europe, reintroducing the abacus and armillary sphere which had been lost to Europe since the end of the Greco-Roman era
- Alexius Sylvius PolonusAlexius Sylvius PolonusAlexius Sylvius Polonus was a Polish Jesuit astronomer and maker of astronomical instruments. He adopted the added name of Polonus, meaning "Pole" in Latin....
(1593 – c. 1653) – Jesuit astronomer who studied sunspots and published a work on calendariography - Ignacije SzentmartonyIgnacije SzentmartonyIgnacije Szentmartony was a Croatian Jesuit priest who was known as a mathematician, astronomer and explorer.-Biography:Szentmartony was born in Kotoriba , to a Croat mother and a Hungarian father....
(1718–1793) – Jesuit cartographer, mathematician, and astronomer who became a member of the expedition that worked on the rearrangement of the frontiers among colonies in South America - André TacquetAndré TacquetAndré Tacquet was a Flemish mathematician and Jesuit Priest. His work prepared ground for the eventual discovery of the calculus....
(1612–1660) – Jesuit mathematician whose work laid the groundwork for the eventual discovery of calculus - Pierre Teilhard de ChardinPierre Teilhard de ChardinPierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ was a French philosopher and Jesuit priest who trained as a paleontologist and geologist and took part in the discovery of both Piltdown Man and Peking Man. Teilhard conceived the idea of the Omega Point and developed Vladimir Vernadsky's concept of Noosphere...
(1881–1955) – Jesuit paleontologist and geologist who took part in the discovery of Peking Man - Francesco Lana de TerziFrancesco Lana de TerziFrancesco Lana de Terzi was an Italian Jesuit, mathematician, naturalist and aeronautics pioneer...
(c. 1631–1687) – Referred to as the Father of Aeronautics for his pioneering efforts; also developed the idea that developed into Braille - Theodoric of FreibergTheodoric of FreibergTheodoric of Freiberg was a German member of the Dominican order and a theologian and physicist...
(c. 1250 – c. 1310) – Dominican theologian and physicist who gave the first correct geometrical analysis of the rainbow - Joseph TiefenthalerJoseph TiefenthalerJoseph Tiefenthaler was a Jesuit missionary and one of the earliest European geographers to write about India....
(1710–1785) – One of the earliest European geographers to write about India - Giuseppe ToaldoGiuseppe ToaldoGiuseppe Toaldo was an Italian Catholic priest and physicist.In his fourteenth year he entered the seminary of Padua, in which he subsequently taught mathematics and Italian literature...
(1719–1797) – Physicist who studied atmospheric electricity and did important work with lightning rods; the asteroid 23685 Toaldo is named for him. - José TorrubiaJosé TorrubiaJosé Torrubia was a Spanish Catholic missionary, scientist and author.-Biography and works:He was born towards the end of the seventeenth century at Granada, Spain; died in 1768 in the monastery of Aracoeli. He entered the order of St...
(c. 1700–1768) – Linguist, scientist, collector of fossils and books, and writer on historical, political and religious subjects - Franz de Paula TriesneckerFranz de Paula TriesneckerFranz de Paula Triesnecker was an Austrian Jesuit astronomer.Triesnecker was born in Mallon, Kirchberg, Austria. When he was 16 he joined the Society of Jesus. He studied philosophy in Vienna and mathematics at Tyrnau, then became a teacher. Following the suppression of the Jesuits in 1773, he...
(1745–1817) – Jesuit astronomer and director of the Vienna Observatory; published a number of treatises on astronomy and geography; the crater Triesnecker on the Moon is named after him. - Basil Valentine (c. 15th century) – Alchemist whom author James J. Walsh calls the father of modern chemistry
- Luca ValerioLuca ValerioLuca Valerio was an Italian mathematician. He developed ways to find volumes and centers of gravity of solid bodies using the methods of Archimedes. He corresponded with Galileo Galilei and was a member of the Accademia dei Lincei.-Biography:...
(1552–1618) – Jesuit mathematician who developed ways to find volumes and centers of gravity of solid bodies - Pierre VarignonPierre VarignonPierre Varignon was a French mathematician. He was educated at the Jesuit College and the University in Caen, where he received his M.A. in 1682. He took Holy Orders the following year....
(1654–1722) – Mathematician whose principle contributions were to statics and mechanics; created a mechanical explanation of gravitation - Giovanni Battista VenturiGiovanni Battista VenturiGiovanni Battista Venturi was an Italian physicist. He was the discoverer and eponym of Venturi effect. He was also the eponym of the Venturi pump and Venturi tube....
(1746-1822) - Discovered the Venturi effect - Fausto Veranzio (c. 1551–1617) – Bishop, polymath, inventor, and lexicographer
- Ferdinand VerbiestFerdinand VerbiestFather Ferdinand Verbiest was a Flemish Jesuit missionary in China during the Qing dynasty. He was born in Pittem near Tielt in Flanders, later part of the modern state of Belgium. He is known as Nan Huairen in Chinese...
(1623–1688) – Jesuit astronomer and mathematician; designed what some claim to be the first ever self-propelled vehicle – many claim this as the world's first automobile - Francesco de VicoFrancesco de VicoFather Francesco de Vico was an Italian astronomer at Vatican Observatory, and also a Jesuit priest. His name is also written De Vico and even DeVico....
(1805–1848) – Jesuit astronomer who discovered or co-discovered a number of comets; also made observations of Saturn and the gaps in its rings; the lunar crater De Vico and the asteroid 20103 de Vico are named after him - Vincent of BeauvaisVincent of BeauvaisThe Dominican friar Vincent of Beauvais wrote the Speculum Maius, the main encyclopedia that was used in the Middle Ages.-Early life:...
(c.1190–c.1264) – Wrote the most influential encyclopedia of the Middle Ages - János Vitéz (archbishop)János Vitéz (archbishop)János Vitéz was the Hungarian archbishop of Esztergom and a prominent humanist, diplomat, Latinist, mathematician, astrologist and astronomer....
(c.1405–1472) – Archbishop, astronomer, and mathematician - Martin WaldseemüllerMartin WaldseemüllerMartin Waldseemüller was a German cartographer...
(c. 1470–1520) – German cartographer who, along with Matthias Ringmann, is credited with the first recorded usage of the word America - Godefroy WendelinGodefroy WendelinGovaert Wendelen was a Flemish astronomer who was born in Herk-de-Stad. He is also known by the Latin name Vendelinus. His name is sometimes given as Godefroy Wendelin; his first name spelt Godefroid or Gottfried.Around 1630 he measured the distance between the Earth and the Sun using the method...
(1580–1667) – Astronomer who recognized that Kepler's third law applied to the satellites of Jupiter; the lunar crate Vendelinus is named in his honor - Johannes WernerJohannes WernerJohann Werner was a German parish priest in Nuremberg and a mathematician...
(1468–1522) – Mathematician, astronomer, and geographer - WiteloWiteloWitelo was a friar, theologian and scientist: a physicist, natural philosopher, mathematician. He is an important figure in the history of philosophy in Poland...
(c. 1230 – after 1280, before 1314) – Physicist, natural philosopher, and mathematician; lunar crater Vitello named in his honor; his Perspectiva powerfully influenced later scientists, in particular Johannes Kepler - Julian Tenison WoodsJulian Tenison WoodsJulian Edmund Tenison Woods was an English Roman Catholic priest and geologist, active in Australia. With Saint Mary MacKillop, he helped to found the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart at Penola in 1866....
(1832–1889) – Passionist geologist and mineralogist - Theodor WulfTheodor WulfTheodor Wulf was a German physicist and Jesuit priest who was one of the first experimenters to detect excess atmospheric radiation....
(1868–1946) – Jesuit physicist who was one of the first experimenters to detect excess atmospheric radiation - Franz Xaver von WulfenFranz Xaver von WulfenBaron Franz Xaver von Wulfen was a botanist, mineralogist, alpinist, and Jesuit priest. He is credited with discovering Wulfenia carinthiaca and the lead molybdate mineral wulfenite....
(1728-1805) - Jesuit botanist, mineralogist, and alpinist - John Zahm (1851–1921) – Holy Cross PriestCongregation of Holy CrossThe Congregation of Holy Cross or Congregatio a Sancta Cruce is a Catholic congregation of priests and brothers founded in 1837 by Blessed Father Basil Anthony-Marie Moreau, CSC, in Le Mans, France....
and South American explorer - Giuseppe ZamboniGiuseppe ZamboniGiuseppe Zamboni was an Italian Roman Catholic priest and physicist who invented the Zamboni pile, an early electric battery similar to the Voltaic pile.-Biography:...
(1776–1846) – Physicist who invented the Zamboni pile, an early electric battery similar to the Voltaic pile - Francesco ZantedeschiFrancesco ZantedeschiFrancesco Zantedeschi was an Italian priest and physicist.-Biography:A native of Dolcè, near Verona, Zantedeschi was for some time professor of physics and philosophy in the Liceo of Venice. Later he accepted the chair of physics in the University of Padua, which he held until 1853 being then...
(1797–1873) – Among the first to recognize the marked absorption by the atmosphere of red, yellow, and green light; published papers on the production of electric currents in closed circuits by the approach and withdrawal of a magnet, thereby anticipating Michael Faraday's classical experiments of 1831 - Niccolò ZucchiNiccolo ZucchiNiccolò Zucchi was an Italian Jesuit, astronomer, and physicist.As an astronomer he may have been the first to see the belts on the planet Jupiter , and reported spots on Mars in 1640....
(1586–1670) – Attempted to build a reflecting telescopeReflecting telescopeA reflecting telescope is an optical telescope which uses a single or combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image. The reflecting telescope was invented in the 17th century as an alternative to the refracting telescope which, at that time, was a design that suffered from...
in 1616; may have been the first to see the belts on the planet Jupiter; corresponded with Kepler - Giovanni Battista ZupiGiovanni Battista ZupiGiovanni Battista Zupi or Zupus was an Italian astronomer, mathematician, and Jesuit priest.He was born in Catanzaro. In 1639, Giovanni was the first person to discover that the planet Mercury had orbital phases, just like the Moon and Venus. His observations demonstrated that the planet orbited...
(c. 1590–1650) – Jesuit astronomer, mathematician, and first person to discover that the planet Mercury had orbital phases; the crater Zupus on the Moon is named after him
Further reading
- Barr, Stephen M. Modern Physics and Ancient Faith. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame, 2006.
- Broad, William J. "How the Church aided 'Heretical' Astronomy," New York Times, October 19, 1999.
- Feingold, Mordechai, ed. Jesuit Science and the Republic of Letters. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2002.
- Gilson, Etienne, Reason and Revelation in the Middle Ages. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970.
- Grant, Edward. The Foundations of Modern Science in the Middle Ages: Their Religious, Institutional, and Intellectual Contexts. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
- Grant, Edward. God and Reason in the Middle Ages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
- Hannam, James. The Genesis of Science: How the Christian Middle Ages Launched the Scientific Revolution. Washington, DC: Regnery, 2011.
- Horn, Stephan Otto, ed. Creation and Evolution: A Conference with Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo. San Francisco, CA: Ignatius, 2008.
- Jaki, Stanley. The Savior of Science. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.
- Jaki, Stanley. Science and Creation: From Eternal Cycles to an Oscillating University. Edinburgh: Scottish Academic Press, 1986.
- Lindberg, David C. The Beginnings of Western Science. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992.
- MacDonnell, Joseph E. Jesuit Geometers. St. Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 1989.
- Schönborn, Christoph Cardinal. Chance or Purpose?: Creation, Evolution, and a Rational Faith. San Francisco: Ignatius, 2007.
- Spitzer, Robert J. New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Contemporary Physics and Philosophy. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010.
- Walsh, James J. The Popes and Science. New York: Fordham University Press, 1911.