Galileo Galilei
The Italian astronomer who improved the telescope, confirmed that the Earth orbits the Sun, and was forced by the Inquisition to take it back.
Origin
Galileo (1564–1642) built his own telescope after hearing about Dutch designs, turned it on the sky, and saw moons orbiting Jupiter, mountains on the Moon, and phases of Venus — observations that only made sense if the Earth was not at the center of everything. The Roman Inquisition tried him for heresy in 1633, made him recant under threat, and confined him to house arrest for the last nine years of his life. Legend says he muttered 'eppur si muove' — 'and yet it moves' — as he left the trial.
Modern usage
Patron saint of any scientist whose findings annoy the powerful. 'Eppur si muove' is the canonical line for anyone forced to publicly retract something they believe is true. 'They called Galileo crazy too' is the standard self-defense of every crank online — also, sometimes, of the rare person who turns out to be right.
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