Jan Frans Thijsbaert (1736-1825) en de School voor Experimentele Fysika te Leuven

Abstract

Jan Frans Thijsbaert (1736-1825) and the Louvain School for Experimental Physics After the foundation of a School for Experimental Physics at Louvain University in 1755, the progress of experimental physics was still hindered by difficulties in the maintenance of the instruments, as well as by the inadequate knowledge of the professors. This situation came to an end when J.F. Thijsbaert was appointed director of the school in 1771. Through his contact with J.H. de Magellan, he purchased high-quality instruments from the best of London instrumentmakers. To his school he also added a Cabinet of Natural History and a scientific library. Finally, his work as director of the school had a profound influence on the scientific teaching of the Louvain Faculty of Arts.