Joseph Franz

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Joseph Franz (born February 23, 1704 in Linz , Upper Austria ; † April 12, 1776 in Vienna ) was an Austrian Jesuit and scientist.

After the obligatory novitiate , Franz was accepted into the Societas Jesu in 1719 . He studied in Vienna and was entrusted with a teaching assignment there after successfully completing this course. In 1734 Franz was appointed professor of mathematics, experimental physics and astronomy at the University of Vienna . Together with some of his students, u. a. his friar Maximilian Hell , Franz built an observatory (Jesuit observatory ) at the University of Vienna , which later became part of the Vienna University Observatory . Parallel to this scientific work, Franz acted as a preceptor for Joseph II at the Viennese court . In 1740 Franz undertook an extensive study trip to Constantinople at the Hohe Pforte . Since exact language skills were required in scientific or political undertakings, Franz suggested a translation school after his return to court. In 1754, Empress Maria Theresia founded the Imperial Academy for Oriental Languages (later Consular Academy , forerunner of today's Diplomatic Academy Vienna ) and appointed Franz as its first director. Seven weeks after his 72nd birthday, Joseph Franz died on April 12, 1776 in Vienna, where he found his final resting place.

reception

In his scientific studies, Franz a. a. with the regularity of lunar eclipses , the calculations of the orbits of the moon and Mercury , but also the research of electricity . As the head of the translator academy , he not only focused on language skills, but always tried to bring his students closer to the culture of these foreign countries.

Works (selection)

  • De natura electricitas . 1751.

literature

personal data
SURNAME Franz, Joseph
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian Jesuit and naturalist
DATE OF BIRTH February 23, 1704
PLACE OF BIRTH Linz , Upper Austria
DATE OF DEATH April 12, 1776
Place of death Vienna