Contribution to the European natural sciences of graduates of PR colleges of Volyn (XVIII-beginning of XIX centuries)

Abstract

The article describes scientific achievements of a number of outstanding graduates of the Piarists colleges of Volyn. It is found out that Yuzef Herman Osinskyi, Rafal Yuzef Cherviakovskyi and Stanislav Bonifatsii Yundzill made a great contribution to the development of European natural science of the eighteenth - early nineteenth
centuries. It was revealed, that the basis of that was a high level of material providing of the educational process of Piarists schools, and also a high level of professionalism of their teachers, that became an incentive for students to acquire relevant knowledge and competences. School museum, pharmacy, botanical garden became a kind of scientific laboratories, that graduated a cohort of enthusiastic, dedicated, purposeful alumni. Their attention was focused on the theoretically untapped scientific lacunae of the 18th century: gas chemistry, metallurgy, electrical engineering, surgery, veterinary medicine, entomology, ornithology, etc. It was investigated that Yuzef Herman Osinskyi was the first Polish scientist in the field of electricity, Rafal Yuzef Cherviakovskyi was the founder of Polish modern medical education and Stanislav Bonifatsii Yundzill – was a founder of veterinary teaching, and also ornithological studies in Lithuania. At the same time, their pedagogical activity was effective. They were all the authors of scientific monographs, and textbooks that passed several editions. It was proved, that achievements of pupils of the fathers – Piarists had weighty value and were socially significant in the context of their influence on the existence of those day society. In particular, it is saying about lightning rod – invention of electrician Yuzef Herman Osinskyi, and also about learning particular skills of practical surgery by Krakow hairdressers – the initiative of doctor Rafal Yuzef Cherviakovskyi, that not only made people’s life safer, but also prevented many deaths. The complimentary message and applied character of the scientific developments of the researchers were also valuable. It is concluded, that just for that, they were awarded the gold royal medals – the highest marks of respect for their scientific merits.