Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), Danish astronomer, astrologer and alchemist. Here, a young Brahe is making astronomical measurements whilst his tutor sleeps. Tycho Brahe realised the difficulty of making accurate measurements of celestial bodies with the instruments of the day. His designs for new methods and devices won him great fame. He was granted an estate on the island of Hven to conduct his research, and funding to build the Uraniborg observatory. From there he generated the most accurate astronomical data of his time. He was exiled to Prague in 1597 and was assisted in his work there by Johannes Kepler until his death. Engraving from Vies des Savants Illustres (1876).