Vies Des Savants Illustres Collection

Plato, Ancient Greek philosopher
Plato (427-347 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher. Platos spirit of rational inquiry led to todays scientific method. His writings shaped and continue to have a profound influence on Western thought

Nicolaus Copernicus, Polish astronomer
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) observing a lunar eclipse in Rome, Italy, in 1500. Copernicus was a Polish astronomer who studied in both Poland and Italy

Socrates, Ancient Greek philosopher
Socrates (c.470-399 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher, credited with introducing a new and critical attitude in philosophy and science

Hippocrates, Ancient Greek physician
Hippocrates (c.460-c.370 BC), Ancient Greek physician and philosopher. Hippocrates, who is considered the father of medicine, founded a medical school on the Aegean island of Kos

Thales, Ancient Greek philosopher
Thales of Miletus (c.624-c.546 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, and the first identifiable scientist

Theophrastus, Ancient Greek philosopher
Theophrastus of Lesbos (c.371-c.287 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher. Known as the " father of botany", Theophrastus studied with Plato in Athens

Vasco da Gama, Portuguese explorer
Vasco da Gama (1460-1524), Portuguese explorer. In 1497, Da Gama was sent by Prince Manuel of Portugal to find a trade route to India

Aristotle studying in his youth. The Ancient Greek philosopher and naturalist Aristotle (384-322 BC) influenced many later thinkers, working in areas such as logic, astronomy, zoology

School of Pythagoras in Croton
School of Pythagoras. The Ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras (c.580-c.490 BC, centre) established an eccentric religious community at Croton, in southern Italy

Louis-Jacques Thenard, French chemist
Louis-Jacques Thenard (1777-1857), French chemist. Thenard, the son of a peasant, made his fortune by discovering Thenards blue

Ptolemy I Soter, Macedonian general
Ptolemy I Soter (367-283 BC), Macedonian general, descending the steps at the temple of the Muses, coloured historical artwork

Ptolemys observatory, 2nd century AD
Ptolemys observatory in Alexandria, ancient Egypt. Coloured historical artwork of Claudius Ptolemy (AD c100-170), an Egyptian or Greek astronomer, geographer and mathematician

Mesue the Elder, Persian physician
Mesue the Elder (777-857), Christian Persian physician, at left, being received by the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid. This Caliph was the fifth

Aristotle as a young man. The Ancient Greek philosopher and naturalist Aristotle (384-322 BC) influenced many later thinkers, working in areas such as logic, astronomy, zoology

Louis Daubenton, French naturalist
Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton (1716-1800), French naturalist. Daubenton worked with Buffon on his grand treatise of natural history, providing anatomical descriptions of quadrupeds

Pythagoras and Egyptian priests
Pythagoras (c.580-c.490 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher, with Egyptian priests. Pythagoras is thought to have studied in Egypt for 21 years

Laurens Janszoon Coster, Dutch printer
Laurens Janszoon Coster (c.1370-c.1440), Dutch printer, with a printing clamp and printed pages. Coster was a citizen of Haarlem, in the Netherlands, and held the position of sexton (Koster)

Pythagoras, Ancient Greek philosopher
Pythagoras (c.580-c.490 BC), Ancient Greek philosopher. Pythagoras is most famous for the theorem, a mathematical proof concerning triangles, that is named after him

Death of Pliny the Elder, Roman naturalist
Death of Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), Roman naturalist and author, on the beach at Stabiae during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius

Guillaume Rondelet, French physician
Guillaume Rondelet (1507-1566), French physician, surrounded by fish. Rondelet taught medicine in Montpellier, France. He also produced a book on the natural history of fishes

Rhazes, Islamic scholar
Rhazes (c.860-930), Islamic Persian scholar, physician and alchemist, with an assistant, in his chemistry laboratory in Baghdad (now in Iraq). Rhazes is a Latinized form

Pliny the Elder, Roman naturalist
Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), Roman naturalist and author, shown with some of the animals, minerals and plants described in his 37-volume encyclopedia Historia Naturalis

Bernard Palissy, French geologist
Bernard Palissy (1509-1589), French potter, geologist and naturalist, stoking his furnace with wooden furniture. Originally a glass-painter by trade

Bernard de Lacepede, French naturalist
Bernard-Germain-Etienne, comte de Lacepede (1756-1825), French naturalist. Lacepede continued the work started by Buffon, classifying oviparous quadripeds, reptiles, fish and whales

Hipparchus, Ancient Greek astronomer
Hipparchus (c.190-c.120 BC), Ancient Greek astronomer, with the armillary sphere he invented (lower right) and representations of the signs of the zodiac in the night sky

Joseph Gay-Lussac, French chemist
Joseph Gay-Lussac (1778-1850), French chemist. In 1804 Gay-Lussac made balloon ascents to measure changes in magnetism and air composition with altitude

Galen lecturing on anatomy in Rome
Galen (c.129-200 AD), Ancient Greek physician and anatomist, lecturing on anatomy in Rome, in the Temple of Peace, using animal skeletons (right). Galen came to Rome in 162 AD

Johann Gutenberg, German inventor
Johann Gutenberg (1398-1468), German inventor of the printing press. This statue of Gutenberg, carved by Bertel Thorwaldsen (1770-1844), is in Mainz, Germany, Gutenburgs birthplace

Geber, Islamic alchemist
Geber (c.722-c.815), Islamic Spanish alchemist, teaching chemistry. Geber is a Latinised form. His full Arabic name is Jabir ibn Hayyan

Galen, 2nd century Greek physician
Galen (130-200 AD), Greek physician, coloured historical artwork. After Galens death, his body of work became a medical authority among Europeans

Gerolamo Cardano, Italian mathematician
Gerolamo Cardano (1501-1576), Italian mathematician and physician, coloured historical artwork. Gerolamo Cardano, also known as Jerome Cardan

Guy de Chauliac, French surgeon
Guy de Chauliac (c.1300-1368), French surgeon. De Chauliac was the most eminent surgeon of his time in Europe. He was physician to Popes Clement VI, Innocent VI and Urban V at Avignon, France

Dioscorides, Ancient Greek physician
Dioscorides sculpture by a pond. The Ancient Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides (c.40-c.90 AD) worked as a surgeon in the Roman army

Roger Bacon, English natural philosopher
Roger Bacon (c.1214-1292), English natural philosopher and alchemist, in his tower observatory at his monastery in Oxford, England

Vincent of Beauvais, French encylopedist
Vincent of Beauvais (c.1190-1264), French encylopedist, reading to King Louis IX of France. Beauvais held the post of " reader" at the monastery of Royaumont, near Paris

Archimedes, Greek mathematician
Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287-212 BC), Greek mathematician, physicist and engineer. Archimedes is regarded as the greatest mathematician of ancient times

Tycho Brahe, Danish astronomer
Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), Danish astronomer, with astronomical instruments and books, in front of a star and a crescent Moon

Thomas Aquinas, Italian theologian
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Italian theologian, philosopher and saint, holding a crucifix and a book. Saint Thomass teachings combined his own thoughts with those of previous scholars such as

The Seven Sages of Greece, 7th century BC
The Seven Sages of Greece. The traditions of Ancient Greece named seven philosophers and statesmen from the 7th and 6th centuries BC as the wisest of men

Guillaume Rondelet, French physician
Guillaume Rondelet (1507-1566), French physician. Rondelet taught medicine in Montpellier, France. He made a considerable contribution to zoology through his study of marine animals

William Harvey, English physician
William Harvey (1578-1657), English physician. Harvey is considered the founder of modern physiology for his work on the circulation of the blood

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Vies des savants illustres: A Journey through the Minds of Great Thinkers" Embark on a captivating voyage into the lives and minds of some of history's most illustrious scholars. From Plato, the renowned Ancient Greek philosopher who shaped Western philosophy, to Nicolaus Copernicus, the Polish astronomer who revolutionized our understanding of the universe, this collection explores their profound contributions. Delve into Socrates' relentless pursuit of wisdom and his iconic teaching methods that challenged conventional thinking. Witness Abulcasis' groundbreaking advancements in Islamic medicine, paving the way for modern medical practices. Uncover Hippocrates' enduring legacy as an exceptional physician whose ethical principles still guide healthcare professionals today. Discover Theophrastus' botanical expertise and his invaluable insights into plant life. Marvel at Hipparchus' meticulous astronomical observations that laid crucial foundations for future astronomers. Explore Plato's philosophical dialogues that continue to inspire intellectual discourse across generations. Journey alongside Galileo Galilei as he defied societal norms with his revolutionary telescopic discoveries, forever altering our perception of celestial bodies. Immerse yourself in Thales' pioneering ideas about nature and mathematics which influenced subsequent philosophers. Lastly, visit the School of Pythagoras in Croton where mathematical genius flourished under Pythagoras’ guidance—a testament to human potential when nurtured within a supportive community. These remarkable individuals have left an indelible mark on humanity's quest for knowledge and understanding. Their stories serve as reminders that curiosity knows no bounds and innovation can emerge from any corner of civilization—truly inspiring us all to pursue greatness in our own lives.