Invited to share the ironmonger’s dinner of black bread and soup and sour red wine, Galileo was already searching for a patron for his inventions. The ironmonger had let Galileo forage for parts from his stockpile of junk items. Galileo was too poor to continue his medical studies. He wondered what was there for him to do with his life in Florence? He was 20 years old when he saw the lamp swing in the cathedral to give him inspiration.
Born in Pisa in 1564, Galileo Galilei had a wool- merchant father, Vincenzio, who also was a lutenist, a composer, and a music theorist, and a mother, Giulia, who was more critical than loving. From his earliest years, Galileo had tried to devise toys for himself because he was fascinated with wheels and pulleys. His father admired his ingenuity. “When I am grown up, I shall invent greater things,” the boy told his father.
This brilliant Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer was educated at the Vallombrosa Abbey south of Florence and taught briefly at the University of Pisa. He is often referred to as “the father of modern science.” Galileo studied speed and velocity, gravity, and the principle of relativity. He studied hydrostatic balances and invented the thermoscope and various military compasses.
His contributions include telescopic confirmation of the phases of Venus, the observation of the four largest satellites of Jupiter, the observation of Saturn’s rings and the analysis of sunspots. During his lifetime he met with opposition from astronomers who doubted heliocentrism and Copernicanism.
His eyes saw Marina Gamba in Venice and he fell instantly in love. He would bring her flowers and small presents. When he was able financially to bring her to Padua, he set her up in a separate house and fathered their three children out of wedlock. Because of their illegitimate births, their father considered the two daughters unfit for marriage and they were both accepted by the convent of San Matteo in Arcetri and remained there for the remainder of their lives.
One of his daughters took the convent name of Sister Maria Celeste and she was a great comfort to her Father. She died at age 33 and left him desolate. His other daughter had no time for him. His son, Vincenzio, was a leech and untrustworthy. Vincenzio was a spy of the Inquisition and his father realized this to be true. So Galileo felt completely alone in the world. Except for his many devoted followers, he felt neglected and unappreciated.
The Papal letter arrived affixed with its red wax seal. He was commanded from the Holy Office to appear without delay before the Inquisition at Rome. If shame could kill someone, Galileo would have expired that moment. His Dialogue was published in 1632, but now the Florentine printer was forbidden to print any more copies until the court decided for or against him and his book.
The charge seemed to him too ridiculous to credit, but Galileo brooded over it and all the more he was shocked that Pope Urban could believe that the Pope had been irreverently caricatured by him.
In the council chamber of the Holy Office, Galileo faced the three black-robed judges. Now he was entirely alone without even a humble friend to comfort him. The prisoner raised his blurred eyes toward the large crucifix. No, he was wrong. One Friend remained. His lips moved in prayer
He was tried by the Inquisition and found “vehemently suspect of heresy” and forced to recant. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest. At one point when defending his observations of the world turning, he quietly muttered, “Nevertheless, it does turn.”
Galileo, blind and arthritic, old and broken, was allowed to return to his villa at Arcetri and his beloved gardens. The greatest astronomer of his age died peacefully with Vincenzio beside him. Death came on the eighth of January, 1642 at age 77.
“Wilt thou in Thy mercy permit me to continue my search among the stars?”