Sacharias Jansen (1588 - 1632)

Field(s) of interest: scientific instruments |
Gender: male

Born: Den Haag, ~1588
<1632

Biography:
Instrument maker born around 1588 in The Hague. He grew up in Middelburg (at the Groenmarkt near to the Westerse Muntpoort), and also worked in Arnemuiden (at Langstraat) and Amsterdam. Together with his father Hans, he grinds glasses and lenses. The two also made several binoculars. His name was often associated with the invention of the binocular and the microscope, but it is highly questionable that he did invent it. His telescopes were the best of Europe in 1608. In 1612, he gave a binocular to Prins Maurits and Archduke for present. After 1613, it seems that he spent most of time on counterfeit money.

Occupations:
instrument maker: ~1618 - ~1620 (Arnemuiden)

Instrument maker: ~1600 (Middelburg)

instrument maker: >1620 (Middelburg)

Sources:
Sterr, C.W. van der. 'Hans en Sacharias Janssen', in: Amstelodam 21 (1934).

Beek, L. 'Jansen, Lipperhey & Metius : wie van de drie?', in: Professioneel profiel 49 (1984).

Rooseboom, M. Bijdrage tot de geschiedenis der instrumentmakerskunst in de noordelijke Nederlanden (Leiden 1950).

Harting, P. 'Oude optische werktuigen, toegeschreven aan Zacharias Janssen en eene beroemde lens van Christiaan Huygens teruggevonden', in: Album der Natuur (1867).

Helden, A. van. The invention of the telescope (Philadelphia 1977).

Ernst, B. 'Wie heeft de telescoop uitgevonden?', in: Zenit 12 (1985).

Harting, P. De twee gewigtigste Nederlandsche uitvindingen op natuurkundig gebied (>1859).

Servaas van Rooijen, A.J. In: De Navorscher 35 (Amsterdam 1885), 236.