Francis Line

Francis Line, SJ (1595 – 15 November 1675), also known as Linus of Liège, was a Jesuit priest and scientist.

He entered the Society of Jesus in 1623, was ordained priest in 1628, and was professed of the four vows on 20 August 1640.

[5] For many years Line was professor of Hebrew and mathematics at the Jesuit college at Liège.

During the time that he was serving the English mission he constructed the dial which was set up in the king's private garden at Whitehall on 24 July 1669.

[6] It stood on a pedestal, and consisted of six parts, rising one above the other, with multitudes of planes cut on each, which were dials for the purposes of geography, astrology, and astronomy.