Peter Anich

Peter Anich ( born February 22, 1723 in Oberperfuss, Tyrol, † September 1, 1766 in Oberperfuss, Tyrol ) was a Tirolean surveyor and cartographer. His works, especially the 1774 Atlas published Tyrolensis, are among the most accurate maps of their time. Anich, which is often referred to as " Bauernkartograf " means because of his peasant origin, was also known as an astronomer and designer of sundials and globes beyond.

Life

Peter Anich was born in Oberperfuss, the only son among four children of farmer couple Ingenuin and Gertrud Anich. Anich had to work on the family farm and enjoyed probably no regular schooling but learned only from the local priest some basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic. In addition, his father taught him the turner crafts and promoting his craft- constructive skill, such as the construction of simple measuring instruments. Some attempts to learn information on field measurement and astronomy at the Innsbruck Jesuits, the father said, however. When he died in 1742, took over the 20-year old Peter the court and the turner 's workshop.

Anich began to observe the sky and became interested in astronomy during his work as a shepherd. On a nearby pear tree he set up an observation post and found without any help the celestial pole by repeated targeting of many stars, until he came to the (almost stationary ) Polaris. Already in 1745 he built his first vertical sundial on a wall in Oberperfuss. This was already a complicated construction whose trigonometric calculation required knowledge. How Anich had acquired the appropriate skills, is unknown. 1751 Anich went to Innsbruck and made ​​representations at the Jesuit and professor of mathematics Ignaz wine hard, he asked for instruction in astronomy and mathematics. Wine Hart was convinced after a brief examination of Anich talent, offered him private lessons and was until the end of his life Anich's most important supporter. In the following years wandered Anich on Sundays and public holidays to Innsbruck to take lessons from wine hard and produce globes and scientific instruments for him.

From about 1756 Anich began to also deal with cartography. 1759 suggested wine before hard to entrust him with the creation of a new National Map of Tyrol, which was to be later known as Atlas Tyrolensis. From 1760 Anich then the task fell to the Tyrol Map of Joseph Freiherr von Spergs at this because of his removal to Vienna could not continue to work to complete. After he had in the years that followed the " northern Tirol" (Tyrol, with the exception of the already mapped by Spergs Trento ) surveyed and mapped, he was assigned from 1764 also with the inclusion of the southern part. From 1765 he was doing Blasius Hueber, later perfecter of Atlas Tyrolensis, at hand. When working in the swamps of the Adige Anich ill, his life of rather feeble constitution and for several years almost deaf, the " Gallfieber ", from which he never recovered. In his last months, he was already depleted due to its lack of ability to work, awarded by the Empress Maria Theresa with a gold medal of honor. In addition, he was portrayed for the collection of the University and received a pension of 200 florins awarded annually. However, this could not avail, after his death on September 1, 1766 she was awarded his sister Lucia paid.

After Peter Anich the Innsbruck Anichstraße, Graz Anichgasse, in Vienna Floridsdorf the Anichweg, Peter Anich settlement in Brunico and the Geometeroberschule in Bolzano as well as, among others, are the Peter Anich hut named above Rietz. The northern Ramolkogel in the Ötztal Alps, also bears his name, Anichspitze. In addition, the only solar observatory in South Tyrol ( solar observatory Peter Anich ) is named after him. Oberperfuss reminds the Peter Anich - way and a globe in the arms of the great son of the congregation, and the Anich - Hueber - museum displays documents, maps, surveying equipment and more prepared Anich of terrestrial and celestial globes.

Work

The main work of Peter Anich, the Atlas Tyrolensis, one due to its scale, its precision and the size of the area shown on the most important international cartographic achievements of the 18th century. Peter Anich used for his measurements advancements of the measuring table method, which enabled a particularly accurate triangulation. He worked there part with self-made instruments. In addition, the presentation of the high mountain regions, especially the glaciers in Atlas Tyrolensis as for that time is particularly accurate. Anich farming background and manners enabled him good contact with the ordinary country people and helped so that the Atlas Tyrolensis to his wealth of geographical names, which until then had remained undetected.

At least ten large sundials around Innsbruck are from Peter Anich. Sometimes it involves complicated constructions that show only time but also more about the month or the zodiac sign of the sun.

Anich was also known for his 1756 constructed under the guidance of wine hard large celestial globe with about one meter in diameter. About this work preceding astronomical measurements and research Anich today, however, is little known. 1759 was followed by a terrestrial globe of the same size, both works can be found in the Tyrolean State Museum. in addition, he constructed several smaller terrestrial and celestial globes, in which he carried also the map image as a copper engraving.