Past documents

On the acquisition of a theodolite for the mathematics classroom

Abstract

In the year 1808, Dr. D. Gregorio Funes founded, with due authorization, a chair of arithmetic, algebra and geometry, endowing it with the sum of five hundred pesos per year from his patrimony.

The purpose of the illustrious benefactor was to give mathematical sciences a place of honor in the teaching of the University, next to the traditional disciplines. The new pedagogical ideas that Doctor Funes brought from Spain were the main part of this useful and plausible innovation, which should be considered as an echo of that fundamental movement of the 18th century that tended to the enthronement of the exact and natural sciences and of a philosophy founded on them. The mathematics classroom was inaugurated on Ash Day 1809, with Mr. Carlos O'Donell as its first teacher, whose competence and commitment gave considerable credit to the teaching. In 1811, Mr. O'Donell was imprisoned and suspended from the chair by the Provincial Board, which appointed Fray José Calazariz Centeno as his substitute. Released shortly after, he continued in it until being replaced by Dr. Bedoya in 1816.

The matter to which the documents we are publishing today refer, it has not been possible for us to find out what purpose it had, either because the documents do not exist, or because the vicissitudes of a turbulent time took away the consideration of those who should have resolved it.