Thomas Zebrowski (Lithuanian:Tomas Žebrauskas,Polish:Tomasz Żebrowski; November 24, 1714 inSamogitia – March 18, 1758 inVilnius)[1] was a Lithuanian[2]Jesuit architect, mathematician, and astronomer. He was instrumental in establishing and funding theObservatory of Vilnius University.[3]Marcin Odlanicki Poczobutt was among his students.[4]
Zebrowski studied philosophy and theology at Vilnius University.[1] He briefly taught at Jesuit schools inKražiai,Ilūkste, andBabruysk and prepared construction projects for churches in these towns. They displayed features ofBaroquechurches in Vilnius.[4] He also designed the Jesuit school inZhodishki [be], houses for nobles, and other buildings.[1] Though documentary evidence is lacking, it is suspected that Zebrowski was also involved in construction of churches inMinsk andPłock, as well as theOginski residence inRučyca [be] (Hanuta) village.[4]
After studying atCharles University in Prague underJoseph Stepling in 1750–52,[1] Zebrowski returned to Vilnius, becoming a popular lecturer of physics and astronomy atVilnius University.[5] He was also interested ingeodesy,horology,mineralogy, geography.[4] However, his major passion was astronomy and he pursued funding for an observatory. The construction was funded by Elżbieta Ogińska-Puzynina, whileMikolaj Radziwill and bishop Józef Sapieha donated 13.5-centimetre (5.3 in) and 10-centimetre (3.9 in) diameterreflector telescopes manufactured inGermany.[3] Zebrowski designed the observatory; its construction began in 1753.[5]
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