biography
| name: |
Schall (von Bell), (Johann) Adam
|
pronunciation:
[shahl]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1591–1666)
|
| biography:
| Jesuit missionary and astronomer, born in Cologne, W Germany. He studied astronomy in Rome, and went to China in 1622, where he was appointed to translate astronomical books and reform the Chinese calendar. After 1644 he became head of the Imperial Board of Astronomy, and adviser to the young emperor Shun-chih (ruled 1644–61), who allowed him to build a church in Beijing (1650). On the death of the emperor, he was accused of plotting against him, and sentenced to death. An earthquake the following day led to his sentence being commuted. Two years after his death he was vindicated. |
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