Mathematician:Willebrord van Royen Snell

Full name in the original Dutch: Willebrord Snel van Royen, or Willebrord van Royen Snell, also Willebrord Snellius

Dutch applied mathematician and astronomer who founded the modern science of geodesy, by pioneering the technique of triangulation.

Developed an improved method for determining the value of $\pi$ (pi) using polygons.

Known today for rediscovering Snell's Law in 1621, governing the refraction of light.

Nationality
Dutch

History

 * Born: 1580; Leiden, South Holland, Union of Utrecht (what is now known in English as the Netherlands).
 * Died: 30 Oct 1626, Leiden

Theorems

 * Snell's Law

Books and Papers

 * 1617: Eratosthenes Batavus (the Dutch Eratosthenes)
 * 1618: Coeli et siderum in eo errantium observationes Hassiacae by William IV of Hesse (edited)
 * 1621: Cyclometria sive de circuli dimensione
 * 1624: Tiphys Batavus
 * 1627: Doctrina triangulorum (posthumous)