Scientific Revolution/Natural Philosophers to Know

Nicolaus Copernicus

1473-1543 Polish Heliocentric theory (sun is center of universe) Book On the Revolutions

Andreas Vesalius

1514-1564 Dutch Models and sketches of human anatomy Book the Fabrica

Sir Francis Bacon

1561-1626 English Empiricism Scientific method Inductive reasoning

Galileo Galilei

1564-1642 Italian Improved telescope Observed sun spots and moons orbiting Jupiter House arrest by Catholic Church Book Dialogues

Johannes Kepler

1571-1630 German Proves Copernicus's theory Finds out planets have elliptical orbits Book On the Motion of Mars

William Harvey

1578-1657 English Circulatory system and heart (chambers, etc.)

Blaise Pascal

1623-1662 French Calculating machine Principle of pressure

Isaac Newton

1642-1727 English Law of gravity State of inertia Book Principa Mathematica

Rene Descartes

17th century French Scientific method Deductive reasoning Quote: "I think, therefore I am."