History

Fiammetta was born in Lowestoft, UK. Her father was very interested in science and worked as a doctor. He helped Fiammetta develop an interest in science and nature. 

She was taught at home by a governess and went to schools in Germany and Switzerland. This was common in wealthy families in the UK at the time.

William was born in Germany but moved to England when he was 19. In England, he worked as a music teacher and spent a lot of his spare time doing astronomy. William rented a small telescope to look at the stars and planets. He dreamed of having his one of his own, so learned how to build a large telescope. He ground and polished the mirrors himself and finished building his first telescope when he was 36 years old.

Tycho was born in Knudstrup, Denmark. His family were very wealthy and one of Denmark’s noble families. He lived with his uncle when he was young and his uncle paid for him to study Law at the University of Copenhagen. Tycho had become interested in astronomy after seeing a solar eclipse when he was 14. He preferred to learn about science and did not spend much time studying the law. When he was 20, Tycho was in a fight and lost part of his nose.

Claudius was born in Alexandria, Egypt, which was part of the Roman Empire at the time. 

Very little is known about his life. The information we do have has been taken from the books he wrote. 

Isaac was born in Woolsthorpe, England. For most of this childhood he was raised by his grandmother and went to a grammar school. At school, he learned Latin, Ancient Greek, and some maths. His mother wanted him to be a farmer, but Isaac hated farming. At the age of 18, Isaac went to the University of Cambridge. His uncle had previously studied there and recommended him to the university. 

Patrick was born in Pinner, UK. He had health problems when he was young and was educated at home. As a child, Patrick was interested in astronomy. When he was 11, he joined the British Astronomical Association. At the age of 14, he was asked to run a small local observatory. Patrick trained as a pilot during World War II. After the war, he studied at the University of Cambridge.

Maria was born in Nantucket, USA. Her family made sure that all 10 of their children were well-educated, the girls and the boys. Maria also read about lots of topics in the local library, where her mother worked. Her father was a teacher and his hobby was astronomy.

Johannes was born in Weil der Stadt (now part of Germany). He had an interest in astronomy from a very young age. When he was 6, his mother took him up to a high place to see the Great Comet of 1577. When he was 9, he was called outdoors to see a lunar eclipse. His family were poor, but Johannes got a scholarship to study at the University of Tübingen.

Hypatia was born to a Greek family in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father was a mathematician and educator. Very little is known about her mother.

Hypatia worked with her father to keep maths and astronomy knowledge up to date and safe during a period of religious conflict. At this time, property and buildings (including books and libraries) were at risk of damage or destruction.

Edwin was born in Missouri, USA. As a child, he enjoyed reading science fiction books. When he won a scholarship to the University of Chicago, his father wanted him to study law, not astronomy. Following college, Edwin worked as a high school teacher and basketball team coach.