  The Jesuit scientist Christopher Clavius (1538-1612) has been the most
influential teacher of the renaissance. His contributions to algebra, geometry,
astronomy and cartography are enormous. He paved the way, with his texts and
his teaching for 40 years in the the Collegio Romano, to the development of
these sciences and their fruitful spread all around the World, along the
commercial paths of Portugal, which become also the missionary paths for the
Jesuits. The books of Clavius were translated into Chinese, by one of his
students Matteo Ricci "Li Madou" (1562-1610), and his influence for the
development of science in China was crucial. The Jesuits become skilled
astronomers, cartographers and mathematicians thanks to the example and the
impulse given by Clavius. This success was possible also thanks to the
contribution of Clavius in the definition of the Ratio Studiorum, the program
of studies, in the Jesuit colleges, so influential for the whole history of
modern Europe and all western World.
