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Bob Gleason, an actor with the American Historical Theatre, portrays Italian astronomer, scientist and philosopher Galileo Galilei.
Galileo, Italian astronomer, scientist and philosopher, played a leading role in the Scientific Revolution. He improved the telescope and made many significant discoveries in astronomy. His findings encouraged him to speak out for the Copernican view that the earth revolved around the sun. He alienated important people by disproving accepted scientific theories and by challenging accepted religious doctrine. Despite being censured by the church, Galileo continued to make important scientific discoveries until death in 1642.
