Leonhard Euler | |
---|---|
Born | Basel, Switzerland | 15 April 1707
Died | 18 September 1783 [OS: 7 September 1783] | (aged 76)
Alma mater | University of Basel |
Spouse(s) | Katharina Gsell (1734–1773) Salome Abigail Gsell (1776–1783) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Mathematics and physics |
Institutions | Imperial Russian Academy of Sciences |
Thesis | Dissertatio physica de sono ("Physical dissertation on sound") (1726) |
Doctoral advisor | Johann Bernoulli |
Notable students | Joseph-Louis Lagrange (epistolary correspondent) |
Leonhard Euler (pronounced Oiler) (April 15, 1707 – September 7, 1783) was a Swiss mathematician and physicist. He spent most of his adult life in Russia and Germany.
Euler made important discoveries in calculus and topology. He also created many of the words used in math today. He introduced the notation we use to write mathematical functions.[1] He is also known for his works in mechanics, optics, fluid mechanics, astronomy and music theory.
Euler is considered to be the most important mathematician of the 18th century, one of the greatest mathematicians of all time and one of the most prolific writing mathematicians. His collected works fill around 80 volumes.[2] The famous mathematician Pierre-Simon Laplace advised, "Read Euler, read Euler, he is a master for us all.”[3]
Euler was featured on the sixth series of the Swiss 10-franc bill[4] and on numerous Swiss, German, and Russian postage stamps. The asteroid 2002 Euler was named in his honor. He is also celebrated by the Lutheran Church on their Calendar of Saints on May 24.
Lisez Euler, lisez Euler, c'est notre maître à tous.