Athanasius Kircher

Athanasius Kircher (1602 – 1680) was a 17th-century German Jesuit scholar and polymath who published around 40 major works, most notably in the fields of Oriental studies, geology, and medicine. Kircher has been compared to fellow Jesuit Roger Boscovich and to Leonardo da Vinci for his enormous range of interests.

He has also been referred to as the "last Renaissance man". He is known for writing the book Mundus Subterraneus.

Trivia

The frontispiece of Kircher's Mundus Subterraneus

• Kircher is considered the father of Egyptology, and his work helped scientists decipher the Rosetta Stone.
• Kircher was an owner of the Voynich manuscript.