Jakub Kresa
| Jakub Kresa | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 19, 1648 Smržice, Moravia, Kingdom of Bohemia |
| Died | June 28, 1715 (aged 66) Brno, Moravia, Kingdom of Bohemia |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Fields | Mathematics, diplomacy |
| Institutions |
University of Olomouc Colegio Imperial de Madrid Charles University |
| Alma mater |
University of Olomouc Charles University |
| Doctoral students |
Jan Talentius Karel Slavíček |
| Known for | Introducing algebraic number to trigonometry Translating Euclid's Elements to spanish, thence the nickname "Euclid of the West" |
Jakub Kresa, Spanish: Jacob Kresa, Latin: Jacobo Kreysa (July 19, 1648 – July 28, 1715) was one of the most important Czech mathematicians of the Baroque era.
Jakub Kresa was born into a smallholder's family at Smržice, not far from Prostějov. He studied at the Jesuit gymnasium (school) in Brno. There he proved to be an extraordinary student. He not only displayed rare skills in mathematics, but he also became a polyglot, able to speak fluently Hebrew, German, Latin, Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese, in addition to his Czech mother-tongue.
In 1669–70 he taught at the gymnasium (school) in Litoměřice. Then he went to Prague, where he studied at the Faculty of Philosophy of Charles University between 1670 and 1673. After spending a short time back in Litoměřice, he returned to Prague in 1675 and continued his studies in mathematics and theology. Kresa was ordained a priest in 1680. After this he spent a short time in Telč.
In 1681 Jakub Kresa started to teach Hebrew at the University of Olomouc. There he obtained his first doctorate and between 1682 and 1684 taught mathematics. In Olomouc Kresa's other high points included presiding at the academic dissertation of the mathematician and astronomer Jan Taletius, who devised a model to predict eclipses of the sun and of the moon.
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