Minister of Rites and Director of Royal Decrees; astronomer and mathematician; pen name Gyujae; author of Uigi jipseol and Chubo sokhae
| Life | 1817 ~ 1863 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 의령 남씨 |
Nam Byeong-cheol (1817-1863) was a late Joseon scientist and official of Uiryeong. His courtesy names were Jamyeong and Wonmyeong and his pen names Gyujae, Gangseol, Gudang and Gyedang. He passed the examination in 1837 (Heonjong 3), became royal secretary in Cheoljong 2 and Minister of Rites in Cheoljong 7, and then held posts including Minister of Personnel and Director of Royal Decrees.
Outstanding in mathematics and astronomy, he is said to have made a water wheel, a globe and a four-seasons instrument. He compiled the Uigi jipseol in the 1850s, explaining the structure, principles and calculations of astronomical instruments, and wrote the astronomy guide Chubo sokhae. One study reconstructed an armillary sphere from the methods in the Uigi jipseol and reports that he made a major contribution to the history of armillary-sphere making in East Asia.
His collected works, the Gyujae yuko, were printed in 1864. His younger brother Nam Byeong-gil (1820-1869) is also introduced as an able astronomer of the Uiryeong Nam. His genealogical relation to Nam Gong-cheol was not confirmed here and should be checked in the genealogy.
After passing in 1837 he served as royal secretary, Minister of Rites, and Minister of Personnel and Director of Royal Decrees under Cheoljong.
The Uigi jipseol explains the structure and making of astronomical instruments and the Chubo sokhae is an astronomy guide. On this knowledge he is said to have built a water wheel, a globe and a four-seasons instrument.
His brother Nam Byeong-gil was also a noted astronomer, and the two are mentioned together as important figures in late Joseon calendrical astronomy.
His tomb location was not confirmed.