Matteo Ricci

Type Figure Region Italy Time 1552–1610 Also known as Matteo Ricci、Matteo Ricci S.J.、西泰、Matteo Ricci

Italian Jesuit missionary, a landmark figure of the westward learning's eastward transmission in the late Ming dynasty.

Timeline

1583–1598Zhaoqing · ZhaoqingEntering the mainland from Macau, he first established himself in Zhaoqing, Shaozhou, and elsewhere, befriending scholar-officials through Confucian rites and scientific writings, and formulated the missionary policy of 'accommodation with Confucianism to supplement Heaven', laying the foundation for going deeper into North China.
1601–1610Beijing · BeijingIn 1601 he entered Beijing and received the Wanli Emperor's permission to reside, co-translating the first six books of Elements of Geometry with Xu Guangqi, drawing the Kunyu Wanguo Quantu, spreading Western astronomical and geographical knowledge, and becoming an important window for late Ming scholar-officials to learn about European science.