Galileo Galilei
1564 – 1642
A student of medicine at Pisa University, but soon changed to the study of mathematics
Became Professor of Mathematics at the age of 28.
Achievements:
– Devised many important theories such as the Principle of the Pendulum and theories relating to the speed of falling objects.
– He improved on the telescope, leading to many important discoveries about the solar System. He published these findings in The Starry Messenger (1610)
– His study of the solar system led him to agree with the findings of Copernicus regarding the relationship between the sun and the planets. (Heliocentric Model)
– Due to his scientific findings, he was brought before the Roman Inquisition where he had to withdraw his scientific beliefs.
– He was placed under house arrest for the rest of his life, later going blind.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) before the Holy Office in the Vatican. The astronomer was condemned by the Tribunal of the Inquisition for having defended the theories of Copernicus, 1632. Painting by Joseph Nicolas Robert-Fleury ( Robert Fleury) (1797-1890), 1847. 1,96 x 3,08 m. Louvre Museum, Paris (Photo by Leemage/Corbis via Getty Images) 
