Famous Scientists 557 



fond of mathematics and at an early age became distinguished 

 for his knowledge of this subject. In later years he used this 

 knowledge in carrying on his scientific experiments. He invented 

 the thermometer, and discovered the laws of the pendulum and 

 of falling bodies. He introduced into Italy the experimental 

 method of study which was being advocated by Bacon in 

 England. 



Galileo was distinguished both as an astronomer and a physicist. 

 By the use of the telescope he was the first to discover the moun- 

 tainous character of the moon, the phases of the planet Venus, the 

 satellites of Jupiter, and the rings of Saturn. He advocated the 

 Copernican theory of the universe, which represents the sun as 

 the center with the earth and planets moving around it. For this 

 he was greatly persecuted. He died in 1642 at the age of 78. 



Harvey. William Harvey was born at Folkstone, England, 

 in 1578. He was graduated from Caius College, Cambridge, at 

 the age of nineteen and went to the University of Padua, in 

 northern Italy, at that time the most celebrated school of medi- 

 cine in the world. Later he became the court physician of 

 Charles the First of England. Harvey is known as the man 

 first to demonstrate the circulation of the blood in the body, and 

 as the father of embryology. The latter title was given him 

 because he watched the hatching of hens' eggs, one of which was 

 opened daily to see the progress and the manner of growth of 

 the chick. He died in 1657. 



Newton. Sir Isaac Newton was born in Lincolnshire, Eng- 

 land, in 1642, the same year in which Galileo died. He was the 

 son of a farmer, who endeavored to educate the boy to follow 

 the same vocation. But the lad neglected his farm duties to make 

 mechanical toys. A sun dial made by him is still in existence. 

 His mother, recognizing his ability, sent him to school. At the 

 age of eighteen he became a student in Trinity College, Cam- 

 bridge, and took his first degree at the age of twenty-five. He 

 was especially proficient in mathematics and at the age of twenty- 

 seven became professor of mathematics in his college. 



Although he wrote many articles on mathematics and physics, 

 he is best known for his discovery of the theory of universal 



