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10. GALILEO AND Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa in 1564 and at age 25 became Professor of Mathematics there. While holding this appointment he performed a number of experiments from the leaning tower showing that, contrary to the teachings of Aristotle, heavy bodies do not fall faster than light ones. This aroused a lot of opposition, and Galileo found that it was not always easy being a mathematician. Years later he published a book supporting the Copernican theory of the solar system, and aroused the ire of the Church. He was summoned to appear before the Inquisition and forced to recant his scientific findings. It is said that after this he added quietly, “Nevertheless, I believe.” You can climb the Tower of Pisa today. You have to work pretty hard to take a photo of it leaning to the left!
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– Paul Scott
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