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The astronomer of the duchess. Life and work of Franz Xaver von Zach 1754–1832. (Der Astronom der Herzogin. Leben und Werk von Franz Xaver von Zach 1754–1832.) (German) Zbl 1181.85002

Acta Historica Astronomiae 12. Frankfurt/M: Harri Deutsch Verlag (ISBN 3-8171-1656-X/pbk). 305 p. 8 colour plates. (2001).
Publisher’s description: The astronomer, geodesist, geographer and historian of science Franz Xaver von Zach (1754–1832) lived and worked in several European countries. Duke Ernst II of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg appointed him as the founding scientist of his Seeberg Observatory. This was the place of his strongest activity.
Why should we have an interest in him today? There is a rationale and an emotional answer. First, he has rendered organisational services to his sciences which are equivalent to a great scientific achievement. Second, Zach was a very colourful character, travelled across many states in a time of radical changes and had connections with many colleagues and public figures.
Images from his life therefore provide outlooks, insights and relations.

MSC:

85-03 History of astronomy and astrophysics
01A70 Biographies, obituaries, personalia, bibliographies
01A55 History of mathematics in the 19th century
01A50 History of mathematics in the 18th century

Biographic References:

von Zach, Franz Xaver
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