Federico Faura on Philippines Stamps

FEDERICO FAURA

30 December 1840 to 23 January 1897

Father Federico Faura was a Jesuit priest and the founder of the Manila Observatory.

Faura was born in Barcelona, Spain. He entered the Society of Jesus in October 1859 and was assigned to the Philippines. In response to the need for advance warnings against typhoons, the Jesuits acquired Angelo Secchi's recent invention, the universal meteorograph. Faura, not yet ordained, was put in charge of the Observatory. His success in predicting typhoons the following year established the reputation of the Observatory. People in the Philippines and the Far East came to depend upon its service. Faura's monthly weather periodical Boletin del Observatorio de Manila was in much demand. The Observatory became so important that the Spanish government designated it an official institution.

The aneroid barometer, designed by Faura for use in the Philippines and the most accurate weather gauge in the area, became a household article. The Observatory went on to establish a time service, make seismological observations, publish a seismological bulletin, and eventually undertake astronomical studies .

400 Years of the Jesuits in the Philippines #1535, 31 Jul 1981

part of a se-tenant block of 4

#1537c, 31 Jul 1981

part of a Souvenir Sheet

#1737c, Dec 1985

part of a surcharged Souvenir Sheet

Manila Observatory 150th Birth Anniversary #3625, 25 Sept 2015

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FEDERICO FAURA

30 December 1840 to 23 January 1897