Francisco José de Caldas
| Francisco José de Caldas | |
|---|---|
Woodcut of Francisco José de Caldas from the Papel Periodico de Bogotá
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| Born |
Francisco José de Caldas y Tenorio 4 October 1768 Popayán, Viceroyalty of New Granada |
| Died | 28 October 1816 (aged 48) Bogotá, Cundinamarca, United Provinces of New Granada |
| Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
| Resting place | Iglesia de San José Popayán, Cauca, Colombia 2°26′33.68″N 76°36′41.19″W / 2.4426889°N 76.6114417°W |
| Nationality | Neogranadine |
| Other names | El Sabio ("the learned") |
| Education | Lawyer |
| Alma mater | Our Lady of the Rosary University |
| Occupation | Militar Engineer, Geographer, Botanist, Astronomer, Writer |
| Known for | of the fight for the independence of Colombia. Geographer, mathematician, astronomer and inventor of first hypsometer. |
| Parent(s) | José de Caldas y Gamba Vicenta Tenorio y Arboleda |
Francisco José de Caldas (October 4, 1768 – October 28, 1816) was a Colombian lawyer, military engineer, self-taught naturalist, mathematician, geographer and inventor (he created the first hypsometer), who was executed by orders of Pablo Morillo during the Spanish American Reconquista for being a forerunner of the fight for the independence of New Granada (modern day Colombia).
Caldas began his studies in the city of Popayán in the Seminary of Popayán. He later studied in the Colegio del Rosario graduating in Law but was also passionate for mathematics, astronomy and natural sciences.
Caldas was part of several scientific expeditions including the ones with José Celestino Mutis and Alexander von Humboldt. Considering that he was situated in the relative backwater of Popayán, Humboldt was impressed with his scientific accomplishments. Caldas had developed a method to accurately measure altitude by recording the boiling temperature of water. Caldas gave Humboldt data on altitudes in the region, while Humboldt and botanist Aimé Bonpland, his scientific traveling partner, taught Caldas formal training in botany. Mutis appointed Caldas to the Botanical Expedition to Nueva Granada. He traveled across the New Kingdom of Granada exploring the newfound land, studying flora, fauna, geography, meteorology and cartography. In 1805 Caldas was appointed by Mutis to direct the Astronomic Observatory in Bogotá.
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