Galileo Galilei 1564-1642   Italian Physicist

Galileo, son of the famous musician, Vincento Galilei, was born and raised in Pisa. At 25, he was appointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of Pisa. Galileo has been called one of the first modern scientists because he believed that direct observation (experiment) was a better way to learn about nature than reliance on ancient authorities. Aristotle's doctrine that heavy weights fall faster than light one was widely accepted. However, in a famous experiment, Galileo showed that heavy and light weights, dropped simultaneously from the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa hit the ground at the same time.

Galileo's observations of the stars and planets convinced him that Copernicus was right in claiming that the earth rotated around the sun. Because he championed this view, he was arrested, tried, and convicted by the holy inquisition and forced to recant his belief. He died in imprisonment.