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Ferdinand VerbiestFlemish Jesuit missionary
Date of Birth: 09.10.1623
Country:  China |
Content:
- Biography of Ferdinand Verbiest
- Missionary Work in China
- Challenges and Achievements
- Scientific Contributions and Legacy
Biography of Ferdinand Verbiest
Early Life and EducationFerdinand Verbiest was a Flemish Jesuit missionary who worked in China during the Qing Dynasty. He was known not only for his active religious and educational activities but also for his scientific achievements. Verbiest was born into a family of a Belgian bailiff and tax collector. He studied humanities under the guidance of Jesuits and pursued the secrets of philosophy and mathematics at Lelie College. Verbiest officially became a Jesuit on September 2, 1641. He spent some time studying theology in Seville and after being ordained as a priest, he continued his education in Rome, where he developed an interest in astronomy. Initially, Verbiest planned to go on a mission to the Spanish territories in Central America, but he was eventually sent to the Far East.
Missionary Work in China
In 1658, Verbiest, along with a group of missionaries, sailed from Lisbon to China. They arrived in Macau in 1659, but unfortunately, only 10 passengers, including Verbiest, survived the journey. Verbiest worked in Shanxi, combining his missionary activities with his research in astronomy.
Challenges and Achievements
In 1661, the Chinese emperor passed away, leaving his successor, who was only 7 years old. The regents who took power did not favor the Jesuit missionaries, which led to difficult times for them in China. In 1664, the members of the mission were imprisoned and faced execution. However, divine intervention saved the priests. First, an earthquake of unprecedented strength destroyed part of the prison, and then a huge meteor appeared in the sky. The death sentences were commuted to exile, and only four, including Verbiest, escaped exile. In 1669, Emperor Kangxi took control of the government, imprisoned the last regent, and began addressing a significant scientific challenge. Chinese scholars concluded that their calendar was not accurate and needed serious adjustments. Verbiest participated in a special competition among astronomers and provided more accurate data, which earned him the position of head of the mathematical council and director of the Beijing Observatory. This promotion marked the end of the exile for the expelled Jesuits, while Verbiest's opponent and the enemies of the Jesuits, Yang Guangxian, were sentenced to the same death penalty that once threatened the Jesuits. However, later his death sentence was commuted to exile.
Scientific Contributions and Legacy
Verbiest quickly established himself as an incredibly talented scientist and, given the circumstances, became a close friend of the emperor. Changing the calendar was just the beginning of Verbiest's major projects. He translated a number of textbooks into Chinese, actively taught geometry, philosophy, and music, and, of course, continued his missionary work. Thanks to Verbiest, China received a new aqueduct, 132 high-quality cannons, a set of star charts, and much more. He also experimented with steam engines, and some historians attribute the creation of the world's first self-propelled steam carriage to Ferdinand Verbiest. Verbiest passed away in Beijing on January 28, 1688, after falling off a rampaging horse. His body was buried in the Zhalan cemetery, which was originally created for another great missionary, Matteo Ricci.
