Galileo Galilei

Galileo di Vincenzo Bonaiuti de' Galilei (Pisa, 15 February 1564 – Arcetri, Italy, 8 January 1642) was an Italian astronomer, engineer, mathematician and physicist, closely associated with the Scientific Revolution. An eminent man of the Renaissance, he took an interest in almost all the sciences and arts (music, literature, painting). His achievements include improving the telescope, a wide range of astronomical observations, the first law of motion and decisive support for the 'Copernican Revolution'. He has been regarded as the 'father of modern astronomy', the 'father of modern physics' and the 'father of modern science'.

His experimental work is considered complementary to the writings of Francis Bacon in establishing the modern scientific method, and his scientific career complements that of Johannes Kepler (1561–1630). His work is considered a break from the established theories of Aristotelian physics, and his confrontation with the Roman Inquisition of the Catholic Church is presented as an example of the conflict between religion and science in Western society.