Jan Tesánek (Latin: Joannis Tessanek) (1728–1788) was a Bohemian scholar and author of scientific literature.

Jan Tesánek
Born(1728-12-09)9 December 1728
Died22 June 1788(1788-06-22) (aged 59)
Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia
NationalityCzech
Alma materCharles University
Known forSpreading knowledge of scientific findings throughout Europe
Scientific career
Fieldsmathematics, physics, astronomy
InstitutionsCharles University
University of Olomouc
Doctoral advisorJoseph Stepling

Biography

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Tesánek studied at a gymnasium (school) in Prague and later at Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University. In 1745, he became a Jesuit and studied mathematics, physics and astronomy under Joseph Stepling, a student of Ignatz Mühlwenzel. Stepling introduced Tesánek to the works of Isaac Newton.[1] After finishing under the Faculty of Philosophy, Tesánek continued with study of theology. He was then ordained a priest and became professor of physics at Charles University. Later, he taught mathematics at the University of Olomouc. Two years later he returned to Prague to assume a professorship of high mathematics at the University. He remained at the University after the dissolution of the Jesuit order in 1773 and assumed the position of head of the Department of Mathematics and Physics in 1778. Tesánek is known for his many writings on the science of the day, helping to spread knowledge of scientific findings throughout Europe.[2]

 
Tesánek's Principia Mathematica

Major works

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  • Miscellanea mathematica (1764, 1769)
  • Sectiones conoidum (1764)
  • Pertractatio quorundam modorum quaestiones geometricas resolvendi (1770)
  • Pertractatio elementorum calculi integralis (1771)
  • Isaaci Newtoni Libri I. principiorum mathematicorum philosophiae naturalis Sect. I-V exposita (1769)
  • Betrachtungen über eine Stelle der allgmeinen Arithmetik Isaac Newtons (1784)
  • Versuch über einige Stellen in Newtons Principiis (1776)
  • Algebraische Behandlung der XII Section des I. Buches des grossen Werkes Newtons (1777)
  • Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica, auctore Isaaco Newtono, illustrata commentationibus potissimum Is. Tesanek et quibusdam in locis commentation ibus veterioribus clarissimorum Thom. Le Sueur et Fried. Jacquier, ex Gallicana Minorum familia Matheseos Professorum aliter propositis (Tesánek's most important work, two books, 1780 a 1785).

Notes

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  1. ^ "Scientific Conditions—Schools". The studies and teaching of the Society of Jesus at the time of its suppression, 1750–1773, Translated from the French of M. L'Abbe Maynard. Baltimore: John Murphy & Co. 1855. p. 191.
  2. ^ Šišma, Pavel; Jaroslav Folta. "Jakub Kresa". math.muni.cz (in Czech). Retrieved March 3, 2011.

References

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