Galileo Galilei Historical Figure Nationality: Italy Religion: Catholicism Date of Birth: 15 February 1564 Date of Death: 8 January 1642 Cause of Death: Natural Causes Occupation: Physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher Appearances: 1632 series POD: May, 1631 Appearance(s): 1634: The Galileo Affair Grantville Gazette X Grantville Gazette XIX Type of Appearance: Direct

Galileo de Vincenzo Bonaiuti de' Galilei (15 February 1564–8 January 1642) was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations, and support for Copernicanism. Galileo has been called the "father of modern observational 'astronomy", the "father of modern physics", the "father of science", and "the Father of Modern Science."

In his own lifetime, Galileo's advocacy for the Copernican view was controversial. He repeatedly ran afoul of the Roman Inquisition, until he was finally tried in 1633. He was forced to recant, and placed under house arrest.

Galileo Galilei in 1632Edit

The arrival of Grantville, and the spread of up-time ideas and knowledge, caused Galileo Galilei's heresy trial to take a different track. At the start of 1634, it had not yet gotten started, although Pope Urban VIII had convened a Commission of Inquiry consisting of Church astronomers and Inquisition cardinals.

In 1634, up-time Americans became involved in two separate ways. Pope Urban appointed Lawrence Mazzare, then the United States of Europe's ambassador to the Most Serene Republic of Venice, to defend Galileo. At the same time, Frank, Ron, and Gerry Stone became involved in the Venice Committee of Correspondence's plan to rescue Galileo.

However, it was only after an assassination attempt on the Pope by French Huguenot extremists led by Michel Ducos was foiled by the up-timers, that Galileo was pardoned by Urban.

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See AlsoEdit

• Galileo Galilei at the Harry Turtledove Wiki

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