Christiaan Huygens: Facets of a genius

Christiaan Huygens (© Huygensmuseum)

To mark the 375th anniversary of the birth of Christiaan Huygens (1629-1695), the Research File looks at this Dutch mathematician, physicist, astronomer and inventor who is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all times.

Speakers: 

  • Dr. Ineke Verbeek of the Huygens’ Museum Hofwijck, on Huygens’ education and youth
  • Dr. Hans Hooijmaijers of the Boerhave Museum Leiden, on Huygens’ work)
  • Professor Albert Heldens, historian of science at the University of Utrecht, on his brilliance as an astronomer and lens maker)
  • Dr. Karin Husmann, director ESA’s space Expo, on the Huygens’ space probe

Producer: Thijs Westerbeek van Eerten

Broadcast: April 22, 2004