Valamar Blog

In the first text about the famous citizens of Dubrovnik the main role was given to Ivan Gundulic, and in the today’s post we will refer to the person and work of the great scientist – mathematician, astronomer, geodesist, physicist, philosopher and Jesuit from Dubrovnik Ruder Boskovic.

1711 In the family of Pava Bettera and Nikola Boskovic son Ruder was born. After finishing the primary education, his older brother Baro takes young Ruder to Jesuit College in Rome.

1736 The first Boskovic’s scientific papers from the field of astronomy, mathematics and physics appear. These studies immediately draw attention to the young author which in that period already lectures at the inferior Jesuit schools.

1740 Boskovic remains the professor of mathematics at Roman College.

1742 He was entrusted with the researches of the fissures on the Church of Saint Paul in Rome.

1745 His works “De Viribus vivis” and “De Continuitatis lege” are published.

1747 Boskovic is in Dubrovnik and that is his last staying in his native town. After that the only connection with the City will be his letters to his sister, brother and the government.

1755 Along with Le Maire he publishes “De Litteraria expeditione”

1757 Boskovic leaves the position of the professor at the Roman College. He goes to Vienna to work on his life-work “Teorija prirodne filozofije” (Theory of natural philosophy).

1758 “Philospphiae naturalis theoria” is published in its first issue in Vienna.

1759 Boskovic’s trip to France and the beginning of intensive diplomatic activity.

1760 Arrival to London; his scientific epic “De Solis ac Lunae defectibus” is published.

1761 Boskovic becomes a member of the London Royal Society. By order of this powerful scientific society he goes to Istanbul to observe the passage of Vensus in front of the Sun.

1762 Boskovic is in Poland. He starts the preparation of the work about his scientific trips.

1763 Return to Italy and election for the professor of the mathematics at the university in Pavia.

1770 The sub-department for optics and astronomy is founded in Milan for Boskovic, and he participates in foundation of the astronomical observatory in Brera.

1773 Because of the conflict about the management of the astronomical observatory Boskovic leaves Brera and Milan, and transfers to Paris where he works in a circle of encyclopaedists.

1782 Boskovic’s health condition is getting worse. The exhausting works left trace on his nerves. He withdraws to Bassano where he works on his manuscript “Opera pertinentia ad opticam et astronomiam” to the self-destruction. That book is issued in five volumes in Bassano in 1985.

1786 Mentally ill in Brera.

1787 Boskovic dies in Milan. He is buried in the Church of Saint Mary of Padua.
(ref: Dubrovnik revisited, Slobodan Prosperov Novak)

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