Karel Slavíček, an astronomer and cartographer from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, was born in Jimramov and a memorial plaque was installed here in his honour.

Karel Slavíček (1678─1735) was born in Jimramov in the house U Slunce, his father was a schoolmaster and clerk. The parish of Jimramov was administered by the Jesuits and Slavíček eventually joined the order and became a priest. After studying in Brno, Olomouc and Prague, he managed to go to China as a missionary (in 1716) and he remained there for the rest of his life. His work in China went far beyond that of an ordinary missionary. Slavíček became very familiar with Chinese culture and especially with Chinese astronomy. He also made his own astronomical and cartographic observations and measurements. He corresponded with the leading scientists of his time and earned a reputation as a great scholar. His tomb is preserved in Beijing to this day.

The commemorative plaque on the house No. 71 in Jimramov was installed in 1995 on the initiative of Josef Kolmaš, who is also the author of the exposition about Karel Slavíček in the village hall of famous citizens.

Keywords: astronomy; history of natural sciences; cartography; mathematics; Chinese astronomy; Jesuits; missionaries; overseas discoveries

Commemorative Plaque on the house where Karel Slavíček was born