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Abu Rayhan Biruni

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Scientist

The Resume

    (September 5, 973-December 13, 1048)
    Born in Kath, Uzbekistan
    Observed solar eclipse (April 8, 1019)
    Observed lunar eclipse (September 17, 1019)
    First person to make experiments connected to astronomy
    Wrote 35 books on astronomy, 4 on astrolabes, 23 on astrology, 5 on chronology, 2 on time measurement, 9 on geography, 10 on geodesy and mapping theory, 15 on mathematics (8 on arithmetic, 5 on geometry, 2 on trigonometry), 2 on mechanics, 2 on medicine and pharmacology, 1 on meteorology, 2 on mineralogy and gems, 4 on history, 2 on India, 3 on religion and philosophy, 16 literary works, 2 books on magic and 9 unclassified books
    Invented early hodometer and first mechanical lunisolar calendar computer
    Father of anthropology, geodesy and Indology
    Died in Ghazni, Afghanistan

Why he might be annoying:

    He is less well-known in the Western World than he is in the Middle East.
    He is also known as Al Biruni, Alberuni, Al Beruni, and many other variants.
    Even though he was a Shiite Muslim, he harbored agnostic tendencies.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He criticized both alchemy and astrology, two popular theories during his time.
    He was a keen observer who managed to excel in many fields of science.
    He established the scientific method.
    He was the colleague of another famous intellectual named Avicenna.
    Two universities, one in Afghanistan and another in Uzbekistan, are named after him.
    He has been called one of the world’s greatest scientists.

Credit: Big Lenny


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 72.73% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 22 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 18 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 25 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 28 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 19 Votes: 31.58% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 38 Votes: 55.26% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 123 Votes: 36.59% Annoying