Mr. Percival
Astronomy
16 Oct. 2009
Christopher Clavius
The life story of Christopher Clavius is not well known, but the contributions and his legacy left an impression in the world of astronomy. During the last few years of Christopher Clavius’s life, he was described as one of the most respected astronomers in Europe. It is unfortunate that hardly anything is known about his early life. Historians have discovered that he was born in Bamberg, in the German region. The German name Clavius was given when he was born has never been known, although possibilities have been suggested. Scholars have proposed names like Christoph Clau or Klau. It is believed that Clavius was born on March 25th, 1537 or 1938. However, the exact year is not known and really depends on the opinion on when the new year begins around the time of his birth. Clavius grew up among the influences of the Protestant Reformation developing in Franconia, Germany, a region that remained Catholic.
Clavius adult life was spent as devout Jesuit, which is logical due to the fact that three years after he was born Ignatius de Loyola founded the Jesuit order including only ten members. Clavius was admitted to the order in 1555, a month before his seventeenth birthday. By this time the group had reached out to about one thousand members, still growing strong. In 1556 Christopher attended the University of Coimbra located in Portugal, where it is believed that Pedro Nunes sparked his interest in the mathematical field. While at the University of Coimra; Clavius observed the total solar eclipse in 1560 that inspired and motivated him to make astronomy his calling in life. That same year he moved to Rome to study theology at the Jesuit Collegio Romano. In the year of 1564 Christopher was ordained in 1564 while still pursuing his theological studies in the university. Eleven years later he was able to become a full member of the Jesuit order.
In 1579 Clavius was given the opportunity to create the basis for a reformed calendar that would discontinue the sluggish process in which the Church’s holidays were drifting relative to the seasons of the year. Christopher used the Prussian Tables of Erasmus Reinhold to fashion a calendar, ordered by Pope Gregory XIII to be adopted in 1583 in the Catholic countries. This calendar is now used worldwide, and called the Gregorian calendar.
Christopher Clavius influenced the two worlds of mathematics and Astronomy. It would be wrong to disregard the contributions he made to the mathematic fields. As a mathematician of the Jesuit order, Clavius wrote numerous textbooks on algebra, practical arithmetic, geometry, and astrolabe. Clavius has been called “the Euclid of the sixteenth century” based off his remarkable mathematical work. Clavius was able to produce a number of instruments that would measure fractions of angles. He also designed sundials and quadrants that would be used in the process of surveying. His work shaped the mathematical education in the Jesuit affecting the entire world.
Christopher also had an influential impact in the world of astronomy. He believed strictly in his geocentric model of the solar system. Clavius thought like many others during that time that the heavens rotated around the earth. Clavius managed to contest the heliocentric model that Copernicus based his astronomical beliefs off of, but did recognize the issues with the orthodox model. Galileo respected the views and work that Clavius did in the astronomical fields. Galileo visited him during his first trip to Rome in 1587, and after that point discussed math problems, astronomical theories, and remained in a pleasant relationship with Chirstopher. Clavius even sent Galileo copies of his book once he was completed. Galileo visited Clavius again in 1611 to converse about the new observations being made with the telescope. Clavius accepted the new discovers that were made about the moon, but doubted the reality that mountains occupied the moon.
Christopher made amazing contributions in the field of math and science. Clavius died in February 12th, 1612, but left an everlasting legacy behind. After his death a crater on the moon was named in his honor.
Works Cited
"Christopher Clavius." Christopher Clavius. 15 Oct. 2009.
Christopher Clavius. Absolute Astronomy. 14 Oct. 2009.
"Christopher Clavius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908.
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