Xu Guangqi, 1562 was born in Shanghai on April 24th, and was a famous scientist in ancient China. He was a scholar in Wanli period, an official in Chongzhen period, a college student and cabinet assistant in Wen Yuan Pavilion. 1603 became a Catholic, and his Christian name was Paul. He was 72 years old.
Xu Guangqi's greatest contribution to mathematics was his translation of Elements of Geometry (the first six volumes) with Matteo Ricci. Xu Guangqi put forward the practical idea of "the study of degrees", and also wrote two books, Gouguyi and Measuring Similarities and Differences.
Xu Guangqi first used the word "geometry" as a mathematical term. The translation of Geometry Elements greatly influenced China's original habit of studying and studying mathematics, and changed the direction of China's mathematics development, which was a great event in the history of Chinese mathematics.
Xu Guangqi is well versed in agronomy, and has many works, including The Complete Book of Agronomy, The Sparse of Sweet Potato, The Sparse of Miscellaneous Agriculture, The Draft of Agricultural Books, The Taixi Water Law, etc.
Xu Guangqi participated in the specific compilation of books such as Measuring Heaven and Covenant, Big Survey, Index of Daily Entanglement Calendar, Measuring Quanyi, and Daily Entanglement Table. Xu Guangqi's achievements in astronomical calendar mainly focus on the compilation of "Calendar of Chongzhen" and various sparse plays written for calendar reform.