David Rittenhouse

David Rittenhouse (born April 8, 1732 in Germantown (now a part of Philadelphia ), Province of Pennsylvania , † June 26, 1796 in Philadelphia) was an American astronomer and mathematician and first director of the United States Mint .

Rittenhouse trained himself and showed great skills in science and mathematics from an early age . At the age of 19 he opened a scientific instrument shop in his father's farm in Norriton . He was a skilled watchmaker. Rittenhouse developed two orreries , mechanical replicas of the solar system , one for the library of the University of Pennsylvania and one for the Princeton University .

He also invented the diffraction grating and was one of the first to build a telescope that was used in the United States.

From 1779 to 1782 he was professor of astronomy at the University of the State of Pennsylvania. In 1782 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences . From 1792 to 1795 he was director of the United States Mint. He went in 1795 in retirement and died of cholera .

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personal data
SURNAME	Rittenhouse, David
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American astronomer and mathematician, first director of the United States Mint
DATE OF BIRTH	April 8, 1732
PLACE OF BIRTH	Germantown , now a borough of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH	June 26, 1796
Place of death	Philadelphia , Pennsylvania