Jean-Baptiste Morin (mathematician)

Jean-Baptiste Morin (February 23, 1583 – November 6, 1656), also known by the Latinized name as Morinus, was a French mathematician, astrologer, and astronomer.

Morin believed that improved methods of solving spherical triangles had to be found and that better lunar tables were needed.

Morin, unfailingly irascible, remarked, "I do not know if the Devil will succeed in making a longitude timekeeper but it is folly for man to try.

In his attempts to convince the committee members, Morin proposed that an observatory be set up in order to provide accurate lunar data.

In 1645, Cardinal Mazarin, Richelieu's successor, awarded Morin a pension of 2,000 livres for his work on the longitude problem.

The 26 books of intricate, complex, Latin text were published at the Hague in 1661 as one thick folio 850 pages long.

At the same time, Morin vested himself heavily in promoting in mundo directions, a technique largely based on the work of Regiomontanus that became available thanks to then-recent advancement in mathematics.