The journal AUC Historia Universitatis Carolinae Pragensis, subtitled “Příspěvky k dějinám Univerzity Karlovy” (Papers on the History of Charles University), is a periodical devoted not only to the history of the Prague university but also to the history of education and student movement in the Czech lands. The journal, published since 1960 as part of the Acta Universitatis Carolinae series, also publishes essays presenting original historical sources (all texts are accompanied by summaries in foreign languages, mainly in English and German). It regularly publishes reviews and annotations of works on the history of education and annals of research activities.
The journal is archived in Portico.
AUC HISTORIA UNIVERSITATIS CAROLINAE PRAGENSIS, Vol 57 No 2 (2017), 71–77
Thomas Żebrowski – the Disciple of Joseph Stepling
[Thomas Żebrowski, Joseph Stepling’s Student]
Nijolė Bulotaitė
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14712/23365730.2018.51
published online: 25. 02. 2019
abstract
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.
keywords: Vilnius Astronomical Observatory; Vilnius University; Joseph Stepling; Thomas Żebrowski; Lithuanian Jesuits; Marcin Poczobut; Museum of Mathematics; Cabinet of Physics
references (7)
1. <bez popisu>
2. BEDNARSKI Stanisław, Upadek i odrodzenie szkol jezuickich w Polsce, Kraków 1933
3. KASPERAVIČINÈ Andronè, Apšvietos epochos požymiai Vilniaus universiteto ansamblio architektūroje, Kultūros paminklai 10, 2003, s. 73–87
4. KLIMKA Libertas, Tiksliųjų mokslų pradininkas Tomas Žebrauskas, Mokslas ir technika 11/12, 2014, s. 34–36
5. MATULAITÈ Stasè, Senoji Vilniaus universiteto astronomijos observatorija ir jos biblioteka, Vilnius 2004
6. RIAUBA Bronias – VASILIAUSKAITÈ Nijolè, Senojo Vilniaus universiteto matematikos istorija, Vilnius 2012
7. ZUBOVAS Vladimiras, Tomas Žebrauskas ir jo mokiniai, Vilnius 1986
Thomas Żebrowski – the Disciple of Joseph Stepling is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
157 x 230 mm
periodicity: 2 x per year
print price: 150 czk
ISSN: 0323-0562
E-ISSN: 2336-5730
