Roger Bacon
/ˌrɒdʒə ˈbeɪkən/
/ˌrɑːdʒər ˈbeɪkən/
- (c. 1214-92) a Franciscan monk and philosopher who became known as ‘Doctor Mirabilis’, or ‘the Admirable Doctor’. He was unusual for his time in regarding mathematics and science as very important. His writings show that he was particularly interested in chemistry, optics (= the scientific study of sight and light) and astrology, and he seems to have understood the possibilities of gunpowder, the telescope, glasses and flying. In 1278 his work was declared to be heretical (= opposed to religious beliefs) and he was put in prison until just before his death.
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Roger Bacon