Cornelis Ekama

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Cornelis Ekama (born March 31, 1773 in Paesens , † February 24, 1826 in Leiden ) was a Dutch mathematician, physicist, astronomer and Reformed theologian.

Life

The son of pastor Johann Cornelis Ekama (* 1740 in Harlingen; † 31 May 1780 in Morrha) and his wife Hendrikje Lieuwes postma, grew up in poor circumstances after the early death of his father. In 1781 he moved to the Latin school in Dokkum , which was under the direction of Rector Jan Willem de Crane (1758–1842). He followed this when he moved to Enkhuizen as rector in 1788 and when Crane moved to the University of Franeker as a professor , he enrolled in the matriculation of the university in 1790. Here he completed a degree in theological sciences, including attending the lectures of Everwinus Wassenberg (1742-1826). In particular, he developed an interest in the mathematical sciences during his student days, where he found a formative teacher in Antoine Chaudoir (1749–1824). On October 9, 1796, he went to Elkerzee as a pastor . In addition to his pastoral work, he dealt with mathematical and physical topics, giving lectures in the natural history society in Zierikzee .

On May 17, 1800 he received an honorary doctorate in philosophy from the Senate of Franeker University, and on January 23, 1803, he was made honorary lecturer in natural and marine science in Zierikzee. He took up this task on March 30th of the year with the speech About het nut van de wetenschap der zeevaartkunde voor een welingerierter state (freely translated into German: About the benefits of the science of seafaring for a well-informed state ). After he had been awarded the title of lecturer in mathematics, nature and seafaring on May 16, 1804, he resigned his pastoral office in February 1805 and received a position as a lecturer in mathematics, physics, astronomy, seafaring for a salary of 1500 guilders, Anatomy and Physiology in Zierikzee. On September 18, 1807, the curators of Franeker University appointed him professor at the philosophical faculty for logic, metaphysics, mathematics and astronomy.

After he began his lectures there in April 1808, he gave his inaugural address de Frisa, ingeniorum mathematicorum imprimis fertilli, on June 1, 1809 . When the Franeker Hochschule came to an end in 1811, Ekama moved to the University of Leiden as a professor of mathematics and astronomy. With that he had also taken over the management of the observatory in Leiden . In Leiden he was reinstated in his professorship after the college was closed on October 16, 1815, by royal resolution, and in 1822/23 he took part in the Alma Mater's organizational tasks as rector . At the resignation of the rector's council, he gave the speech de insignium, qui in scientia astronomica facti sunt, progressuum fundamentis .

Ekama had written some essays in the various journals of his time and became a member of several learned societies of his time. So here would be his membership in the Zeeland Society of Sciences (Dutch: Zeeuwsch Genootschap der Wetenschappen) in Vlissingen on November 21, 1804, his membership in the Dutch Society of Sciences (Dutch: Hollandsche Maatschappij der Wetenschappen in Haarlem) in 1808, his 1808 followed membership in the Batavian Society of Experimental Philosophy (Dutch: Bataafsch Genootschap der Proefondervindelijke Wijsbegeerte) in Rotterdam and his membership in the Royal Institute of Sciences on March 8, 1812 .

His marriage to Susanne Cornelia le Poole (* 1794 † January 22, 1845 in Leiden) on July 24, 1818 had three children. His son Cornelius Ekama (1824-1891) also gained importance.

Works (selection)

  • Nieuwe antwoorden op de rekenkundige vraagen van H. Aeneae. Leiden, Deventer and Groningen 1804
  • Oratio de Frisa, ingeniorum mathematicorum imprimis fertilli. Leeuwarden 1809, ( online ).
  • Oratio de insignium, qui in scientia astronomica facti sunt progressuum fundamentis, a summis in re mathematica et astronomica viris; partim decimo sexto, maxime decimo septimo seculo, jam praecipue jactis. Leiden 1823
  • Negotiating over Gemma Frisius, the first grondlegger dead het bepalen van de Lengte op zee. 1825

literature

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Ekama, Cornelis
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Dutch mathematician, physicist, astronomer and Reformed theologian
DATE OF BIRTH March 31, 1773
PLACE OF BIRTH Paesens
DATE OF DEATH February 24, 1826
Place of death Suffer