Thomas Żebrowski – the Disciple of Joseph Stepling

In early eighteenth century, with the arrival of the Age of Enlightenment, the Jesuit Academy in Vilnius started to introduce various reforms. Political turmoil and the need to modernise the school system led to the introduction of Modern philosophy and science into the curriculum. Special attention was paid to mathematics and natural sciences, and this held even after the abolition of the Jesuit Order. Thomas Żebrowski, a talented mathematician, astronomer, and architect, was sent to Prague to learn about new methods and achievements of astronomy and mathematics from Joseph Stepling. He studied in Prague in 1751–1752. Upon his return to Vilnius, he started to teach mathematics, founded a cabinet of physics and mathematics, and in 1753, established an observatory. He kept in touch with Joseph Stepling and consulted him on various subjects including teaching, experimentation, and construction of an astronomic observatory. Ideas he brought from Prague had formed the foundation of advancement of mathematics and astronomy at the Vilnius University, where they were further developed by his students and contributed to a high level of exact sciences, which was maintained until 1832, when the university was closed. Professor Żebrowski, whose career was short but productive, left behind an almost finished astronomical observatory, a modern museum of mathematics, and a legacy of public scientific activities. He is also considered one of the most important late Baroque architects in Lithuania. The university preserves Żebrowski’s legacy. His former observatory now houses a museum of astronomical instruments, his books are kept in the university library, and his contribution to architecture is a subject of study.

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