Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt was a Belarusian and Lithuanian astronomer, mathematician, educator, Rector of Vilnius University from 1780 to 1799. The Poczobutt crater on the Moon is named after him.
Background
Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt was born on October 30, 1728 at the estate Poczobudze near Słomianka village, at that time Grodno Powiat (County), Trakai Voivodeship Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (today’s village Słomianka near Grodno, Belarus), into an impoverished noble family of Poczobutt-Odlanicki. On February 20, 1536 his ancestor Nikolai Odlanicki Poczobutt received the title of nobility and the coat of arms of “Malaya Pahonia” from the King Sigismund I. Marcin’s father Kazimir was a Grodno carver, and afterwards transport driver, mother Helena was from the Hlebowiczy family.
Education
From 1738 to 1745, Marcin Poczobutt-Odlanicki studied at Grodno Jesuit Collegium. In 1745, he joined the Society of Jesus, and a two-year novitiate period he spent in Vilnius. Afterwards, he studied at pedagogical seminary in Slutsk and Polatsk Jesuit Collegium (today’s Belarus). In 1753-1754, he studied Philosophy at Vilnius Jesuit Academy and then at Vilnius University (1745-1751). At that period he became interested in Astronomy and was sent to Charles University in Prague (1754–1756). After return, he continued his studies in Theology and Astronomy. In 1761, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Theology and went abroad to improve his knowledge at astronomical observatories of Marseilles, Avignon, Naples. Upon his return to Vilnius in 1764, he received Master's Degree in Philosophy and Liberal Sciences.
Career
Odlanicki Poczobutt lectured at Vilnius University from 1753 to 1808 with brief interruptions while going to study abroad. His stay at the Marseille Observatory (France) under Esprit Pézenas inspired him to devote his career to astronomy. After his return from abroad, Odlanicki Poczobutt began his work at the Department of Mathematics and Astronomy. In 1765, he became director of the Vilnius Astronomical Observatory. Odlanicki Poczobutt worked hard to develop the observatory and obtain modern instruments. Despite suppression of the Jesuits in 1773, the observatory gained royal favour from the King Stanisław August Poniatowski. It was named royal observatory and Poczobutt became King's astronomer. In 1771, he was elected a fellow of the London Royal Society. In 1773, he discovered a new constellation and called it the Sobieski's Shield in honour of the Polish King John Sobieski, and described 16-star constellation, which he named Taurus Poniatovii in honour of the King Stanisław August Poniatowski (it is now obsolete and considered to be part of the Ophiuchus). This finding was confirmed by the Paris Academy of Sciences. In 1778, he was elected a corresponding member of the French Academy of Sciences.
In 1780, Odlanicki Poczobutt was appointed Rector of Vilnius University by the Commission of National Education. He was tasked with reforming the university from a medieval school concentrated on humanities (philosophy and theology) to a modern scientific institution. Under Odlanicki Poczobutt, the university improved its science, medicine, and law departments. As a Rector of the university, he promoted the use of Latin and opposed any use of Polish or Lithuanian languages, and directly supervised school reforms on the territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. At that period more than 20 schools on the territory of the present day Belarus.
Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt often travelled to London where he ordered astronomical equipment from Jesse Ramsden and John Dollond: a 4-foot transit telescope in 1765, 3.5-foot achromatic telescope in 1770, 8-foot mural quadrant in 1777, and meridian circle in 1788. Other purchases included octant, equatorial, two theodolites, 10-foot sextant. The observatory was expanded by architect Marcin Knackfus in 1782–1788 to accommodate the new equipment. He was made a member of the Order of Saint Stanislaus in 1785 and Order of the White Eagle in 1793.
Religion
Member of the Society of Jesus