Thomas Zebrowski (Lithuanian: Tomas Žebrauskas, Polish: Tomasz Żebrowski; November 24, 1714 in Samogitia – March 18, 1758 in Vilnius)[1] was a Jesuit architect, mathematician, and astronomer. He was instrumental in establishing and funding the Observatory of Vilnius University.[2] Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt was among his students.[3]
Zebrowski studied philosophy and theology at Vilnius University.[1] He briefly taught at Jesuit schools in Kražiai, Ilūkste, and Babruysk and prepared construction projects for churches in these towns. They displayed features of Baroque churches in Vilnius.[3] He also designed the Jesuit school in Zhodishki (Жодишки in Belarus), houses for nobles, and other buildings.[1] Though documentary evidence is lacking, it is suspected that Zebrowski was also involved in construction of churches in Minsk and Płock, Oginski residence in Ručyca (Hanuta) village.[3]
After studying at Charles University in Prague under Joseph Stepling in 1750–1752,[1] Zebrowski returned to Vilnius, becoming a popular lecturer of physics and astronomy at Vilnius University.[4] He was also interested in geodesy, horology, mineralogy, geography.[3] However, his major passion was astronomy and he pursued funding for an observatory. The construction was funded by Elżbieta Ogińska-Puzynina, while Mikolaj Radziwill and bishop Józef Sapieha donated 13.5-centimetre (5.3 in) and 10-centimetre (3.9 in) diameter reflector telescopes manufactured in Germany.[2] Zebrowski designed the observatory; its construction began in 1753.[4]