Jacobus Barnaart
Jacobus Barnaart (Haarlem, 6 oktober 1726 - Haarlem, 2 november 1780) was a Dutch merchant and one of the five first directors of the Teylers Stichting.
Barnaart, son of Jacobus Barnaart and Margaretha van Elten, was born in a relatively rich baptist family.[1] His father was a merchant and silk cloth manufacturer, and hence he could afford it to send his son to the Latin school (1738) and the Academy (1744). Following in the footsteps of his father, the younger Barnaart also became a merchant but also showed an interest in astronomical measurements.[2] In 1756[2] he was appointed as future director of the Teylers Stichting, which was finally founded at the death of Pieter Teyler van der Hulst in 1778. After founding the Stichting (Foundation) he became one of the five directors responsible for the Teylers Museum and the Teylers societies.
With his interest in astronomy, he insisted on also setting up an astronomical observatory on top of the Oval Room, even though people like Martinus van Marum explained him that this would not be a practical place thanks to the vibrations and therefore inexact measurements.[3] The Teylers astronomical obersvatory was finally constructed on top of the Oval Room, but in a smaller version than initially in mind.
Diaries of Barnaart have been preserved,[2] describing his experiences from age 11 onward, which includes some of his astronomical observations.
References and footnotes
- ^ "Teylers Tweede Genootschap", pre-graduate research report by Ellemieke Adank.
- ^ a b c "Inventarisatie Egodocumenten tot 1814 deel 2" by Onderzoeksinstituut Egodocument en Geschiedenis, amongst others giving a description of Jacobus Barnaart.
- ^ Teylers Museum on the astronomical observatory (Dutch)