Francisco José de Caldas
Francisco José de Caldas | |
|---|---|
Lithography of Francisco José de Caldas by José María Espinosa, 1836 | |
| Born | Francisco José de Caldas y Tenorio 4 October 1768 |
| Died | 28 October 1816 (aged 48) |
| Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
| Resting place | Iglesia de San José Popayán, Cauca, Colombia 2°26′33.68″N 76°36′41.19″W / 2.4426889°N 76.6114417°W |
| Nationality | Neogranadine |
| Other names | El Sabio ("the wise") |
| Education | Lawyer |
| Alma mater | Universidad Santo Tomás |
| Occupation(s) | Military Engineer, Geographer, Botanist, Astronomer, Writer |
| Known for | Precursor of the fight for the independence of Colombia. Geographer, mathematician, astronomer and inventor of first hypsometer. |
| Parent(s) | José de Caldas y Gamba Vicenta Tenorio y Arboleda |
Francisco José de Caldas (October 4, 1768 – October 28, 1816) was a Neogranadine lawyer, military engineer, self-taught naturalist, mathematician, geographer and inventor (he created the first hypsometer), who was executed by orders of General Pablo Morillo during the Spanish American Reconquista for being a forerunner of the fight for the independence of New Granada (modern day Colombia). Arguably the first Colombian scientist, he is often nicknamed "El Sabio" (Spanish for "The learned," "The sage" or "The wise").