The Dutch astronomer and physicist Willebrord van Roijen Snellius (1580–1626), now usually known as Snell, was born in Leiden into a family with mathematical interests. His father was professor of mathematics at Leiden University and eventually Willebrord was appointed to the same professorial chair.
There are two major pieces of work for which he is remembered. The first (in 1617) was the development of the use of trigonometry for the determination of geographical distances: a process called triangulation, which now forms the basis of surveying and map-making.
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