Dubrovnik was the birthplace of many important scientists, but perhaps the most famous name remains that of the polymath Ruđer Bošković (1711 – 1787). This scientist and Jesuit priest was a physicist, mathematician, philosopher, diplomat, poet, and theologian. His contributions to astronomy were so great that a moon crater bears his name – the Bošković crater.
He was only 15 years old when he has been writing scientific treatises on mathematics, physics and astronomy. Thus, he was very early recognized as a gifted scientist.
The highlight of his work was the famous Theory of Natural Philosophy, which supported the idea that one single law of forces exists in nature, that is, the idea that all reality is interpreted on the basis of one law.
Bošković was a versatile, universal man, one of a kind. From archaeological work through solving problems of draining swamps and regulation of rivers to construction statics, Bošković was omnipresent. His contribution to world science is enormous.