Jan Brożek

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Jan Brożek (Joannes Broscius) (November 1, 1585 - November 21, 1652) was a Polish polymath: a mathematician, physician and astronomer.

[edit] Biography

Brożek was born in Kurzelów, Sandomierz Voivodship. He lived in Kraków and Międzyrzec Podlaski. From 1632 till his death he was a parish

Brożek studied at the the Kraków Academy (now known as the Jagiellonian University) and the University of Padua. He served as rector of the Jagiellonian University. He contributed to a greater knowledge of Copernicus' theories and was his ardent supporter and first biographer. He was the most prominent Polish mathematician of the 17th century; working on the theory of numbers (particularly perfect numbers) and geometry. He has also studied medicine, theology and geodesy.

Among the problems he addressed was the question why bees create hexagonal honeycomb and proved that it is the most efficient way of using honey and wax.

He died at Bronowice, now a district of Kraków. One of the later buildings of the Jagiellonian University, Collegium Broscianum, is named in his honor.

[edit] Works

• Arithmetica integrorum (1620) - arithmetic textbook
• Gratis, albo Discurs I Ziemianina z Plebanem ; Przywiley, albo Discurs II Ziemianina z Plebanem ; Consens, albo Discurs III Ziemianina z Plebanem (1625) - literary dialogue
• Apologia - treaty

[edit] External links

• Jan Brożek / Joannes Broscius Mathematician, Historian of Science, University Professor and Benefactor
• Galileo Project entry