Jorge Juan y Santacilia (January 5, 1713 - June 21, 1773) was a Spanish mathematician, scientist, naval officer, and mariner. In collaboration with the French Geodesic Mission, he confirmed Newton's theory that the Earth is not perfectly spherical but is oblate, i.e. flattened at the poles. Juan also successfully measured the heights of the mountains of the Andes using a barometer. In 1749, he was sent to England to spy on British naval construction techniques, and was successful to the extend of bringing back to Spain with him fifty British naval constructors - many of whom would build the Spanish ships that would later fight the British in the American Revolutionary War and the battle of Trafalgar.



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