Jean-François Gerbillon

Gerbillon entered the Society of Jesus on 5 October 1670, and after completing the usual course of study, taught grammar and humanities for seven years.

Upon their arrival in Beijing, they were received by the Kangxi Emperor, who was interested in their scientific knowledge and retained Gerbillion and Joachim Bouvet at the court.

On his last journey he accompanied the three commissioners who regulated public affairs and established new laws among the Khalkha Mongols, who had yielded allegiance to the emperor.

He availed himself of this opportunity to determine the latitude and longitude of a number of places in what is today the Northeastern China and adjacent areas of Russia and Mongolia.

After the emperor's recovery from a fever, during which he was attended by Gerbillion and Bouvet, he showed his gratitude by bestowing on them a site for a chapel and residence.