Pedro Vicente Maldonado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedro Vicente Maldonado
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| Born |
Pedro Vicente Maldonado Palomino y Flores
November 24, 1704 |
| Died | November 7, 1748 (aged 43) |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian |
| Occupation | Horseman of the Golden Key Gentleman of the Camera Lieutenant of Magistrate Governor of the Emerald Province Mayor of the City of Riobamba |
| Known for | The Spanish-French Geodesic Mission |
Pedro Vicente Maldonado (born November 24, 1704, in Riobamba, which is now part of Ecuador) was a very important Ecuadorian scientist. He worked with a famous group of scientists called the French Geodesic Mission. Maldonado was not just a scientist; he was also a physicist, mathematician, astronomer, mapmaker (a topographer), and geographer. He passed away on November 7, 1748, in London, England.
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The Life of Pedro Vicente Maldonado
Maldonado’s parents were Don Pedro Antonio Maldonado Sotomayor and Doña María Flores Palomino. They came from a very important family in the country. Pedro finished his first years of school in Riobamba, where he was born.
In 1718, he moved to Quito to study at the Colegio San Luis. There, teachers from the Jesuit order taught him many subjects. He learned arithmetic, geometry, Latin, astronomy, and music. On May 19, 1721, he earned his teaching degree from Gregorian University. After that, he went back to Riobamba to teach at the Jesuit school. His family later settled in Latacunga, in Cotopaxi province.
Early Explorations and Maps
From a young age, Maldonado was very curious about nature. Between 1722 and 1724, he explored many unknown areas. He wanted to study the land’s geography in great detail. He completed his first map in 1725.
He returned to his hometown to take care of his family's property. He stayed there until 1720, when he moved to Quito. On February 5, 1730, Maldonado married the daughter of the Governor of Popayán. This marriage connected him to a powerful and influential family.
He went back to Riobamba in 1724. There, he was elected mayor of the local council, called the Cabildo. Later, he became the Lieutenant of the Magistrate. Even with these important jobs, Maldonado continued his scientific work. That same year, he suggested a plan to the Viceroy of Peru, José de Armendáriz. His idea was to connect the Royal Audience of Quito with Panama. This was the first of his many projects about trade routes and transportation.
Working with the French Geodesic Mission
In 1736, Maldonado started working with the Spanish-French Geodesic Mission. This group of scientists had a big goal. Until 1743, they wanted to measure a specific part of the Earth. They aimed to find the exact length of a degree of the Earth's meridian arc near the equator.
Maldonado became good friends with many members of the mission. His closest friend was Charles Marie de La Condamine. Two years later, on January 20, 1742, Maldonado became the Governor of Esmeraldas Province. He also gave his brothers important political jobs so they could help with the government. After his first wife passed away, Maldonado returned to Quito. In 1743, he married doña María Ventura Martínez de Arredondo.
Journey to Europe and Recognition
In 1744, Maldonado traveled to Europe. In Spain, in 1746, he met King Philip V. The King gave him the title “Gentleman of the Royal Camera.” This was a very high honor. The King also named him Governor of Atacames. He was given a special payment from the government that would last for two generations of his family.
From Madrid, he went to Paris, France. On March 24, 1747, he became a member of the French Academy of Sciences. This was because other geologists who knew him in Quito had shared good reports about his work. Being a member allowed him to print his important “General Map.” That same year, he traveled through the Netherlands. In August 1748, he moved to London, England. He was invited to join meetings of the Royal Society, a famous scientific group. Sadly, he died before he could officially become a member.
His body was buried in the St James's Church, Piccadilly. He left behind a huge amount of scientific study and research. There is also a special memorial to him inside the church.
Important Titles and Honors
Pedro Vicente Maldonado received many important titles during his life. These titles showed how respected he was in different countries.
Titles in Spain
- Horseman of the Golden Key: A special honor from the Spanish King.
- Gentleman of the Camera: This meant he was trusted to guard the honor of the King.
- Lieutenant of Magistrate: An important legal and administrative role.
Titles in France
- First Corresponding Member of the Parisian Science Academy for Latin Americans: This was a big deal! It meant he was the first person from Latin America to be recognized by this famous French science group.
Titles in Ecuador
- Governor of the Emerald Province: He was in charge of the Esmeraldas region.
- Mayor of the City of Riobamba: He led the local government in his hometown.
Places Named After Him
- The Pedro Vicente Maldonado canton in Pichincha Province, Ecuador, is named after this great scientist. A canton is like a county or district.
- The Colegio Nacional Maldonado is a high school in Riobamba. It was started in 1867 by President Jerónimo Carrión to honor him.
Sources
- Encyclopedia of Ecuador p. 755
- Sociedad Pedro Vicente Maldonado
- Maldonado Biography
- Ferreiro, Larrie: Measure of the Earth: The Enlightenment Expedition that Reshaped Our World (New York: Basic Books, 2011) ISBN: 9780465017232
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Vicente Maldonado para niños
