Zaccarias Janssen
Dutch spectacle maker and microscope inventor · Netherlands · On the map · Lived c. 1580 to 1632
Zacharias Janssen; also Zacharias Jansen or Sacharias Jansen; 1585 - pre-1632) was a Dutch spectacle-maker who lived most of his life in Middelburg. He is associated with the invention of the first optical telescope and/or the first truly compound microscope, but these claims may be fabrications put forward by his son.
Zaccarias Janssen is read about 124 times a day, in 23 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 13 November 2026
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![Reproduction of an optical device that Zacharias Snijder in 1841 claimed was an early telescope built by Jansen. Dutch biologist and naturalist Pieter Harting claimed in 1858 that this was an early microscope which he also attributed to Janssen, perpetuating the Janssen claim to both devices. Its actual function and creator has been disputed.[18]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Jaansen_Microscope.jpg/1280px-Jaansen_Microscope.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=parser&utm_content=thumbnail)
About this person
Country
Netherlands
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived c. 1580 to 1632