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Dalmatian Jesuit and well-known mathematician, astronomer, and natural
philosopher, b. at Ragusa, 18 May 1711; d. at Milan, 13 February, 1787.
He was the youngest of six brothers and his education began at the Jesuit
college of his native city. Being early impressed by the success achieved
by his masters, he resolved to receive admission into their ranks, and
on 31 October, 1725, at the youthful age of fourteen, he entered the novitiate
of the Society of Jesus in Rome. His unusual talents manifested themselves
particularly during the years devoted to literary and philosophical studies
at the Collegio Romano, the most celebrated of the colleges of the Society
of Jesus. Thus, for example, young Boscovich discovered for himself the
proof of the theorem of Pythagoras. His professor, especially Father Horatio
Borgondi, professor of mathematics, knew how to cultivate talents, and
he made such progress, especially in mathematics, that he was able to
take the place of his former professor at the Roman College even before
the completion of his theological studies. As soon as he had completed
the ordinary studies of a young Jesuit, he was appointed regular professor
of mathematical science at the same college. He performed the duties of
this office with much distinction for a whole generation, as is evidenced
by the numerous Latin dissertations which he published nearly every year,
according to the custom of the time. These show Boscovich's preference
for astronomical problems. |