Galileo Galilei
Physician, Mathematican, Astronomer, and Philosopher
Early Life
Galileo was born in 1564 in Pisa, Italy. His father was a well known musician and music theorist. In 1583, Galileo entered the university of Pisa to study medicine. Galileo was interested in many subjects and eventually was on track to become a university proffeser but financial difficulties forced him to leave the university.
Achievements
Galileo created the first thermometer in 1606 and he also made the telescope famous due to him making so many discoveries with it. Galileo also discovered that Venus had phases just like our moon. He was also the first person to discover the existence of sunspots.
Impact on Today
Galileo changed the mathematics was perceived by stressing that it was the key to understanding the world around us. He was also the one to prove Copernicus' theory that the Earth revolves around the sun. Galileo also refined the telescope to make it better than any telescope that was made back then.
"We cannot teach people anything; we can only help them discover it within themselves" -Galileo Galilee
Interesting Facts
When Galileo promoted the copernican theory, he was sentenced to life in prison, which was later reduced to house arrest. Galileo remained a Catholic until his death but he never married the wife of his three children. Einstein was Galileo's biggest fan. Galileo never succeeded in building his pendulum clock.