Eratosthenes of Cyrene

Born: 276 BC in Cyrene, North Africa (now Shahhat, Libya)

Died: 194 BC in Alexandria, Egypt

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Eratosthenes of Cyrene (275-194 B.C.) was a Greek scholar who lived and worked in Cyrene and Alexandria. Eratosthenes was director of the famous library in Alexandria, and is known for numerous important contributions to mathematics, geography, and astronomy. He is also considered one of the greatest of the ancient Greek sages and is considered the founder of physical and mathematical geography.

One of his most famous accomplishments is the technique he introduced which enabled him to compute the diameter and circumference of the earth. The story goes that he peered into a well during a trip to Syene and came up with the diameter and circumference of our planet.

In old age, blind from opthalmia, rumor has it that he committed suicide by voluntary starvation.