The Resume

(October 9, 1623-January 28, 1688)
Born in Pittem, Belgium
Seventeenth century Catholic priest, mathematician, astronomer, and missionary to China
Member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) religious order
Was the personal tutor of the Chinese emperor, the Hangxi Emperor
Wrote over thirty books

Why he might be annoying:

He received a lot of criticism in his lifetime and since for seeming to concentrate more on teaching the Chinese science rather than converting them to Christianity.
He designed cannons and carriages to transport them for the Chinese military.
Despite his contributions to China, he is lumped in by some with other colonialists who exploited China.
He died after managing to fall off a horse
Most pictures of him show him in traditional Chinese attire which he would never have worn.

Why he might not be annoying:

He and his fellow missionaries were persecuted when they first arrived in China and only received permission to evangelize when he won an astronomy contest against traditional Chinese astronomers.
He reformed the Chinese calendar into the one China used until 1930 when it adopted the Gregorian calendar.
He personally tutored the Chinese emperor in geometry, philosophy, and music.
He was a skilled cartographer and diplomat.
Although there is no proof it was ever built, he designed the first steam powered automobile.
He translated some of Euclid's works into Mandarin.
He was an incredible linguist, speaking Latin, Dutch, Spanish, Hebrew and Italian along with Mandarin Chinese.
He designed a half a dozen astronomical instruments including an alterzimuth and a sextant.
After his death, he was accorded the unique honor of being the first westerner to receive a Chinese name, Nan Huairen.

Credit: tom_jeffords

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 17th Century Scientists
• Adults Who Probably Died a Virgin
• Bushy Eyebrows
• Egg Heads
• I Am Not Chinese But I Speak It
• Inventors
• Look at Me, I'm Dressed Like a Genie
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Look at My Bling Bling
• Look at My Flag
• Priest/Scientist
• Profiles 38001-38250 (Ranked: 38203)
• Religious Icons
• Scientists
• Teachers
• Tom Jefford's Profiles [Series 08]
• Wizard Beards

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying