Samuel Klingenstierna facts for kids
Samuel Klingenstierna (born August 18, 1698 – died October 26, 1765) was a famous Swedish mathematician and scientist. He first worked as a lawyer, but he quickly became interested in science. As a student, he taught about new math ideas from Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz.
A Professor of Math and Science
Samuel Klingenstierna became a professor of geometry (a type of math dealing with shapes and sizes) at Uppsala University in 1728. Later, in 1750, he started teaching physics. He retired a couple of years later to advise the head of the army's artillery (big guns).
Helping a Future King
In 1756, Klingenstierna became a teacher for the Crown Prince. This young prince would later become King Gustav III of Sweden.
Important Discoveries
Klingenstierna was the first to point out some mistakes in Isaac Newton's ideas about how light bends (refraction). Another scientist, John Dollond, used Klingenstierna's notes in his own experiments. Klingenstierna also played a big part in creating the Achromatic Telescope. This special telescope helps to make images clearer by correcting colors.
He published his work in Sweden and in Swedish. Because of this, his important discoveries weren't always known by scientists in other countries right away.
