Ferdinand Verbiest
Source: Web (biographs.org)
Science • Historical Archive • 🇧🇪 Belgium • 2 views

Ferdinand Verbiest 🇧🇪

Ferdinand Verbiest / 南懷仁 (Known as "Nan Huairen")
Jesuit Missionary, Imperial Astronomer and Mathematician to the Kangxi Emperor
Born Oct 09, 1623 🇧🇪 Pittem (near Tielt, West Flanders), Belgium
Passed Away Jan 28, 1688 Beijing, Qing Empire
Lifespan 64 years old
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Notice / Correction
"By observing the stars with precision, we reveal to emperors and nations the universal harmony of God."

Archival Overview

Flemish Jesuit mathematician and astronomer who served as director of the Imperial Observatory in Beijing, reformed the Chinese calendar, built modern astronomical instruments, and tutored the young Kangxi Emperor.

Biographical Record

Educated in Bruges, Kortrijk, and Leuven, Verbiest sailed for China in 1658 as a Jesuit missionary. In Beijing, he proved the superior accuracy of European astronomical calculations against conservative court astronomers in a public eclipse competition before the Emperor.

The Kangxi Emperor appointed Verbiest Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau (Qintianjian). Verbiest rebuilt the Beijing Ancient Observatory with six monumental bronze instruments that still stand today, cast 132 bronze cannons for the Qing army, and constructed an early steam-powered vehicle.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Zhalan Cemetery (Jesuit Cemetery)
Beijing, China
GPS: 39.9250, 116.3472
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