Flemish Jesuit, missionary, mathematician, astronomer, and cartographer. He traveled to China during the early Qing Dynasty and served the Kangxi Emperor, introducing Western astronomy and mathematics. Demonstrating his astronomical calculation skills during the Chinese calendar controversy, he served as head of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and supervisor of the Beijing Ancient Observatory. He engaged in improving observation instruments, revising the calendar, creating maps, and translating mathematics books, contributing greatly to the reception of Western science in the Qing court. He is also known for teaching geometry and philosophy to the Kangxi Emperor.

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