# Anders Celsius

> Swedish astronomer, physicist, and naturalist (1701-1744)

**Wikidata**: [Q81130](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q81130)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Celsius)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/anders-celsius

## Summary

Anders Celsius was born on November 27, 1701, in Uppsala, Sweden [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. He studied at Uppsala University [10][8] and pursued careers as an astronomer, physicist, mathematician, university teacher, inventor, and chemist [2]. Celsius worked at Uppsala University from 1728 to 1732 and again from 1738 to 1744, with an intervening period at the French Academy of Sciences between 1735 and 1737 [8]. His primary field of study was astronomy , and he was recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society [11].Celsius is best known for developing the Celsius temperature scale [8]. He briefly served as Rector of the University of Uppsala in 1739 and again in 1743 . His career was cut short by tuberculosis, which led to his death on April 25, 1744, in Uppsala [1][2][3][4][5][12][8][13]. He was buried at Old Uppsala Church .

## Summary
Anders Celsius was a Swedish astronomer, physicist, and naturalist best known for proposing the Celsius temperature scale, which remains a fundamental unit of measurement in science and daily life. Born in 1701, he made significant contributions to astronomy, meteorology, and geodesy, and was a prominent figure in 18th-century European scientific circles.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 27, 1701, in Uppsala, Sweden
- **Died**: April 25, 1744, in Uppsala, Sweden
- **Nationality**: Swedish
- **Education**: Uppsala University (studied and later taught)
- **Known for**: Proposing the Celsius temperature scale, contributions to astronomy, and geodetic research
- **Employer(s)**: Uppsala University, Royal Society of Sciences in Uppsala
- **Field(s)**: Astronomy, physics, meteorology, geodesy

## Contributions
Anders Celsius is best known for his work on the Celsius temperature scale, which he proposed in 1742. This scale, originally defined with 0°C as the boiling point of water and 100°C as the freezing point, was later inverted to its current form. His contributions to astronomy include observations of the aurora borealis and measurements of the Earth's shape through geodetic expeditions. Celsius also served as a professor of astronomy at Uppsala University and was involved in the construction of the Uppsala Astronomical Observatory.

## FAQs
**What is Anders Celsius best known for?**
Anders Celsius is best known for proposing the Celsius temperature scale, which is widely used today for measuring temperature.

**Where did Anders Celsius work?**
Celsius worked primarily at Uppsala University, where he was a professor of astronomy, and was affiliated with the Royal Society of Sciences in Uppsala.

**What were Anders Celsius's major contributions to science?**
Celsius made significant contributions to astronomy, including observations of the aurora borealis and geodetic research to measure the Earth's shape. He also proposed the Celsius temperature scale, which became a standard unit of measurement.

**What organizations was Anders Celsius a member of?**
Celsius was a member of several prestigious scientific organizations, including the Royal Society, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences.

**What is the Celsius temperature scale?**
The Celsius temperature scale is a metric system for measuring temperature, originally defined by Anders Celsius in 1742. It is widely used in scientific and everyday contexts.

## Why They Matter
Anders Celsius's work on the temperature scale revolutionized the way temperature is measured and understood, providing a standardized system that is used globally. His contributions to astronomy and geodesy advanced scientific knowledge of the Earth and celestial phenomena. Celsius's legacy endures through the continued use of the Celsius scale and his influence on subsequent generations of scientists.

## Notable For
- Proposing the Celsius temperature scale, a fundamental unit of measurement.
- Serving as a professor of astronomy at Uppsala University.
- Conducting geodetic research to measure the Earth's shape.
- Observing and documenting the aurora borealis.
- Being a member of prestigious scientific organizations, including the Royal Society and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Anders Celsius was born on November 27, 1701, in Uppsala, Sweden. He studied at Uppsala University, where he later became a professor of astronomy. His education and early career were deeply rooted in the scientific community of 18th-century Sweden.

### Career and Scientific Work
Celsius's career was marked by significant contributions to astronomy and physics. He proposed the Celsius temperature scale in 1742, which initially had 0°C as the boiling point of water and 100°C as the freezing point. This scale was later inverted to its current form, with 0°C as the freezing point and 100°C as the boiling point. Celsius also conducted extensive research on the aurora borealis and participated in geodetic expeditions to measure the Earth's shape.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Celsius was a member of several prestigious scientific organizations, including the Royal Society, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences. These affiliations highlight his prominence in the European scientific community.

### Legacy and Impact
Anders Celsius's legacy is most notably preserved through the Celsius temperature scale, which remains a fundamental unit of measurement in science and daily life. His work in astronomy and geodesy also contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge. Celsius's influence extends beyond his lifetime, as his contributions continue to be recognized and utilized in modern science.

### Notable Works and Publications
Celsius's major work includes his proposal of the Celsius temperature scale and his observations of the aurora borealis. His geodetic research also provided valuable insights into the Earth's shape and dimensions.

### Recognition and Awards
Celsius was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, a testament to his significant contributions to science. His work has been recognized and celebrated by scientific communities worldwide.

### Personal Life and Death
Anders Celsius passed away on April 25, 1744, in Uppsala, Sweden. His life and work continue to be remembered and honored in the scientific community.

## References

1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
2. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
3. [Uppsala domkyrkoförsamlings kyrkoarkiv, Död- och begravningsböcker, SE/ULA/11632/F/2 (1741-1776), bildid: C0004348_00022. burial register](https://sok.riksarkivet.se/bildvisning/C0004348_00022#?c=&m=&s=&cv=21&xywh=878%2C3475%2C2347%2C1395)
4. Anders Celsius. Dictionary of Swedish National Biography
5. BnF authorities
6. Integrated Authority File
7. LIBRIS. 2012
8. Mathematics Genealogy Project
9. [Source](https://catalogues.royalsociety.org/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Persons&id=NA6791&pos=1)
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. CiNii Research
13. [Source](https://www.astro.uu.se/history/Celsius_eng.html)
14. SNAC
15. Nationalencyklopedin
16. Find a Grave
17. [Brockhaus Enzyklopädie](https://brockhaus.de/ecs/julex/article/celsius-anders)
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. [Source](http://digitale.beic.it/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?fn=search&vid=BEIC&vl%283134987UI0%29=creator&vl%28freeText0%29=Celsius%20Anders)
20. CERL Thesaurus