Born on August 18, 1698, Samuel Klingenstierna (1698-1765) was a Swedish mathematician and scientist. Initially, he studied law, but his interests quickly turned to natural philosophy. As a student, Klingenstierna gave lectures on the then novel mathematical analysis of Newton and Leibniz.
In 1728, he became a professor of geometry at Uppsala University. In 1750, he moved to physics but retired two years later to become an advisor to the Commander of Artillery. In 1756, he assumed the post of the tutor of the Crown Prince, the future king Gustav III.
Klingenstierna's contributions included being the first to enunciate errors in Newton's theories of refraction, geometrical notes that John Dollond used in his experiments. Later on he was instrumental in the invention of the Achromatic Telescope. Klingenstierna published in Sweden and in Swedish, and his priority was not recognized.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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