Galileo Galilei

Famous for being influential in the development of Science, Astronomy and Mathematics
Born – 15th February 1564, Pisa, Italy
Parents – Vincenzo Galilei, Giulia Ammannati
Siblings – Michelagnolo
Married – No – Mistress – Marina Gamba
Children – Virginia, Livia, Vincenzo
Died – 8th January 1642

Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, Italy, the eldest son of  Vincenzo Galilei a famous musician. He received a monastic education before attending university at Pisa where he studied medicine. However, at some point he changed subject and studied mathematics.

In 1592 he took up a post teaching mathematics and astronomy at the University of Padua. At the same time he continued to work at furthering his knowledge and made a number of discoveries in the realm of science.

Galileo made improvements to Hans Lippershey’s telescope allowing him to make observations on the planets and on 7th January 1610 he discovered Jupiter’s four largest moons, known collectively as the Galilean moons.

Galileo’s telescopic observations of the Universe led him to agree with Copernicus’ theory that the sun was the centre of the Universe not the Earth. However, the church maintained that the Earth was the centre of the Universe. Unlike other supporters of the heliocentric theory Galileo escaped execution but was forced to recant his theory and spent the remainder of his life being watched by church authorities.

Galileo Gallilei died on 8th January 1642.