Bacon

Roger Bacon

Born: 1219 in (possibly) Ilchester, Somerset, England
Died: 1292 in (possibly) Oxford, England 

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Bacon's interest in mathematics and science was acquired at Oxford. He was much influenced by Grosseteste and worked most of his life on languages, mathematics, optics and sciences. He said Mathematics is the door and the key to the sciences.

His most important mathematical contribution is the application of geometry to optics. Bacon followed Grosseteste in emphasising the use of lens for magnification to aid natural vision.

References:

  1. Dictionary of Scientific Biography
  2. Biography in Encyclopaedia Britannica
  3. T Crowley, Roger Bacon: The problem of the soul in his philosophical commentaries (Louvain-Dublin, 1950).
  4. David C Lindberg, Roger Bacon's Philosophy of Nature: A Critical Edition (1983).
  5. J H Bridges, The life and work of Roger Bacon : an introduction to the Opus majus (London, 1914).
  6. S C Easton, Roger Bacon and his search for a universal science : a reconsideration of the life and work of Roger Bacon in the light of his own stated purposes (Oxford, 1952). 
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JOC/EFR February 1996