Continued studies in France and Italy
By Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen Niels Steensen’s first stop was Paris where he quickly became part of the circle around the prominent academician, Melchisédec Thévenot (1620-95). Steensen demonstrated his anatomical discoveries with great success in Paris, and while he was there the…
Cartesianism
By Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen During his studies in the Netherlands, Steensen had come into contact with a philosophical trend which influenced him deeply. This was Cartesianism, named after the great French philosopher, René Descartes (1596-1650). Descartes plays a critical role in…
Conversion
By Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen It is not clear when exactly Niels Steensen became interested in Catholicism. Most likely his interest began during his stay in Paris 1665-65, where we know that he discussed religion with several people. A decisive moment occurred…
Anatomy, geology and theology
By Sebastian Olden-Jørgensen Steensen’s conversion made a return to his home country impossible, and until 1672 he continued doing research in the service of the grand duke of Tuscany. A shark’s head which the grand duke gave him provided the…
