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The Jesuit architect, physicist, mathematician, philosopher, and diplomat, Rugerius Boscovich (18 May 1711 - 13 February 1787) is commemorated on the 300th anniversary of his birth in modern day Dubrovnik, Croatia. Boscovich entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus in Rome at age 14. His brilliance in mathematics and associated studies soon materialized. As a consultant for Pope Benedict XIV (1740-1758), Boscovich designed concentric steel supports for the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in 1742 after it began to show signs of cracks and potential damage. As an astronomer he published Latin treatises on astronomical topics. He also developed the first map of the Papal States by personally taking measurements of the territory. He also prepared a map of the Pontine Marshes. After the suppression of the Jesuit Order, he located in Paris in 1773 and served as Director of Optics for King Louis XV of France. Boscovich returned to Milan in 1783. He died in 1787 and is buried in Milan at the Church of Santa Maria Podone, a church first erected in 871. A €3,30 stamp, a joint issue with Croatia, was issued to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Rugerius Boscovich's birth. The stamp depicts Boscovich surrounded by mathematical symbols. The stamp was issued in sheets of 10. Technical Details: Scott Catalogue - 1482 - 1482 Date Issued - 13 September 2011 Face Value - €3,30 Perforations - 14.2x14.2 Printing Process - Offset Printer - Printex (Malta) Max Printed - 150,000 Joint Issue - Croatia |
| (Source - Vatican Notes: Volume: 59 Issue: 350 Page: 4-9) |
