Look, I’ve been researching the history of science for years, and let me tell you something that absolutely blew my mind. We tend to think of figures like Galileo, Newton, and Kepler as these ethereal geniuses floating above the mundane concerns of the world, just plucking equations out of the air. We imagine them sitting in ivory towers, fully funded, just thinking about gravity and orbits.
Complete nonsense.
The reality? They were broke. Often desperate. They were the original gig economy workers, hustling harder than a freelance graphic designer with rent due in two days. Writing this post actually made me emotional because, as a content creator myself, I relate so hard to the struggle of trying to monetize your passion. Before the National Science Foundation or massive university grants existed, "science" wasn't even a career. It was a hobby for the rich or a money-pit for the obsessed.
In this deep dive, we are going to strip away the powdered wigs and look at the bank ledgers. We are exploring the Early Modern Scientists and Their Fundraising Methods. You will learn how they sucked up to kings, sold fake gold dreams, and yes, even cast horoscopes for cash just to buy telescope lenses. If you think your startup funding round is stressful, try explaining to the Pope why he should pay for your heresy. Let’s get into it.
1. The Patronage Trap: Flattery as a Business Model
Imagine if, to get your paycheck, you had to name your firstborn child after your boss. That is basically what the patronage system was. This is the most famous of the Early Modern Scientists and Their Fundraising Methods, and honestly, it’s the most embarrassing one to read about today.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, science was expensive. You needed brass for instruments, high-quality glass for lenses, and paper for charts. Who had money? The Church and the Nobility.
The Case of Galileo and the Medici Stars
Let’s look at Galileo Galilei. He’s a hero of science, right? He was also a master marketer. When he discovered the four moons of Jupiter in 1610, he didn't name them "The Galilean Moons" initially. No, he named them the Sidera Medicea—the Medicean Stars.
Why? Because the Grand Duke of Tuscany was Cosimo II de' Medici. Galileo essentially turned the sky into a billboard for the Medici family. He wrote a flowery dedication saying, "Bright stars offer themselves in the heavens to your name." It was pure cringe by modern standards, but it worked! He got the job of Court Mathematician and Philosopher, which meant a steady salary and, crucially, freedom from teaching boring classes to uninterested students.
💡 Insight: Patronage wasn't just about money; it was about protection. Being the "Duke's Philosopher" gave you a layer of social armor against critics (though, as Galileo found out later with the Church, that armor had limits).
But patronage was fickle. If your patron died (which they did often, thanks to gout or poison), you were out on the street. It was like having a startup with only one investor.
2. The Side Hustle: Instrument Making and Sales
If patronage was the "Series A" funding, instrument making was the dropshipping of the 1600s. Many natural philosophers couldn't rely solely on the goodwill of princes, so they got their hands dirty. They manufactured and sold scientific hardware.
This is a crucial part of Early Modern Scientists and Their Fundraising Methods because it bridged the gap between theory and practice.
- The Geometric and Military Compass: Galileo (yes, him again) invented a calculating compass. He didn't just invent it; he sold it. And he didn't just sell the tool; he charged people to teach them how to use it. It was a classic "SaaS" model (Software as a Service), but hardware. He sold the razor (the compass) and the blades (the instruction manual/lessons).
- Robert Hooke's Workshop: Hooke, the man who coined the word "cell," was a mechanical genius. He worked as a curator of experiments for the Royal Society, effectively being paid to build the tech that other scientists used to prove their theories.
This method was arguably the most honest. You built something useful, and people paid you for it. It wasn't begging; it was business.
3. Astrology: The "Dark Arts" Cash Cow
Okay, here is the tea. This is the part that modern science textbooks try to hide. Many of the fathers of modern astronomy funded their legitimate research by writing horoscopes for the wealthy. It’s ironic, isn’t it? The science of astronomy was funded by the superstition of astrology.
Johannes Kepler is the prime example here. Kepler discovered the laws of planetary motion. He was a brilliant mathematician. But as the Imperial Mathematician to the Holy Roman Emperor, his salary was rarely paid on time (emperors were notoriously bad with cash flow).
So, what did he do? He cast horoscopes. He famously said, "God provides for every animal his means of sustenance. For the astronomer, he has provided astrology." He also described astrology as the "foolish little daughter" of the respectable mother Astronomy, but admitted the mother would starve without the daughter's income.
It makes you think about today's world—how many brilliant researchers are doing "consulting" work they hate just to fund the research they love?
4. Alchemy: Venture Capital for Gold Diggers
If Astrology was the gig economy, Alchemy was the high-risk Venture Capital world. In the discussion of Early Modern Scientists and Their Fundraising Methods, we cannot ignore the hunt for the Philosopher's Stone.
Kings and nobles were obsessed with the idea of transmuting base metals into gold. They were constantly broke due to wars and lavish lifestyles. If a natural philosopher whispered, "Hey, I think I’m close to the formula for gold," the treasury doors opened.
Even Isaac Newton—yes, the gravity guy—spent more time on alchemy than he did on physics. While we don't have definitive proof he "fundraised" on this promise explicitly to the public, many of his contemporaries did. They secured labs, materials, and stipends under the guise of alchemical research. It was a dangerous game, though. If you promised gold and didn't deliver, you could end up in a dungeon (or worse). It was the ultimate "fake it ‘til you make it," but the stakes were your life, not just your reputation.
5. Publishing and The Subscription Model
Before Substack, there were scientific journals—but barely. Printing was expensive. So, how did they publish their massive works like the Principia?
The Dedication Page Hustle
Authors would often sell the "Dedication" of a book. You would write a book on botany, but the first three pages would be an over-the-top poem praising a wealthy Count. The Count, in return, was expected to give the author a "gift" of cash. It was essentially crowdfunding, but from one very rich "whale" backer.
Royal Society Subscriptions
The Royal Society of London, founded in 1660, was one of the first scientific institutions. But it wasn't government-funded. It relied on membership fees. Fellows had to pay a shilling a week.
The problem? The scientists were terrible at paying their dues. Isaac Newton, when he became President of the Society, actually had to go chasing people for back-taxes essentially. It’s comforting to know that even the greatest minds in history tried to dodge a subscription fee, just like I try to dodge canceling my gym membership.
6. Visualizing the Hustle (Infographic)
To truly understand how fragmented the income was for these 17th-century geniuses, I’ve put together a visual breakdown. This represents a typical "Income Portfolio" of a successful Natural Philosopher (like Kepler or early Newton).
Where Did the Money Come From? (17th Century)
*Note: Figures are estimated averages based on historical biographies of Kepler, Galileo, and Hooke.
7. University Chairs: The Low-Paying Safety Net
Finally, there was the university. Places like Padua, Cambridge, and Oxford did employ scientists (then called Natural Philosophers). But here’s the catch: it paid peanuts.
Before he got his Medici grant, Galileo was a professor of mathematics at the University of Padua. He had to take in boarding students—essentially turning his house into a dormitory—and offer private tutoring just to make ends meet. He also had to provide dowries for his sisters, which was a massive financial burden.
The university job was stable, but it was restrictive. You had to teach the classics (Aristotle) even if you knew they were wrong. Escaping the university to become a "Court Philosopher" was the dream because it meant funding without the teaching load. It was the 17th-century equivalent of getting tenure and then immediately going on sabbatical forever.
Trusted Resources for Further Reading
If you want to verify these wild stories, check out these authoritative sources:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Did Isaac Newton really practice alchemy for money?
While Newton was deeply obsessed with alchemy, he kept it largely secret and didn't publicly "sell" it like some charlatans. However, his appointment as Warden of the Mint was a direct result of his patronage connections, where his chemical knowledge was used to catch counterfeiters.
2. How much did scientists earn in the 1600s?
It varied wildly. A university professor might earn 60-100 florins a year (barely enough for a middle-class life), while a court mathematician like Galileo could earn 1,000 florins plus bonuses. Most struggled without family wealth.
3. What is the main difference between modern and early modern science funding?
The biggest difference is institutionalization. Today, funding comes from governments and grants (impersonal and bureaucratic). In the early modern era, funding was personal (Patronage), unstable, and relied on the whims of wealthy individuals.
4. Why did Kepler write horoscopes?
Kepler wrote horoscopes primarily for financial survival. He viewed it as a necessary evil to fund his serious astronomical work ("Mother Astronomy" feeding "Daughter Astrology").
5. Did the Church fund science?
Yes, paradoxically. The Catholic Church was one of the biggest patrons of astronomy (for calendar reform), despite the famous conflicts with Galileo. Jesuit astronomers were among the best funded in the world.
6. What was the Royal Society's role in funding?
Initially, the Royal Society struggled to provide direct funding. It functioned more as a publishing house and a verification body. It relied on member subscriptions, which were often unpaid, leading to constant financial trouble in its early years.
7. Could women scientists get funding in this era?
It was extremely difficult. Most women in science, like Maria Winkelmann, worked as assistants to their husbands or fathers. They rarely received independent stipends or official positions, often working unpaid.
Conclusion: The Hustle Never Changes
Looking back at Early Modern Scientists and Their Fundraising Methods, I’m struck by how gritty it all was. We romanticize the "Scientific Revolution," but beneath the discoveries was a layer of desperate salesmanship, political maneuvering, and side hustles.
Galileo wasn’t just a scientist; he was a PR genius. Kepler wasn’t just an astronomer; he was a reluctant astrologer. They did what they had to do to survive and keep the lights of knowledge burning.
My Takeaway? If you are a creator, a researcher, or an entrepreneur struggling to get funding today, take heart. You are in good company. If Newton could run the Mint and Galileo could sell compasses, you can figure out your monetization strategy too. Don't be too proud to hustle; history rewards those who survive long enough to publish.
Are you ready to hustle like Galileo? Share this post if you think modern science needs a new funding model!
History of Science, Scientific Patronage, Galileo Galilei Funding, Early Modern Economics, Science Hustle
