Leonhard Euler Leonhard Euler was one of the most important and influential mathematicians in history, as well as one of the most underappreciated. He made contributions to virtually every area of mathematics. It is sometimes jokingly stated that he was so prolific, that many discoveries were named for the first person after Euler to discover them (Richeson, 2008). The base of the natural logarithm, e, is named after Euler, as well as the Euler-Mascheroni constant, also called Euler’s constant. However, in spite of his significant accomplishments in a number of varied fields, he does not receive the acclaim or renown that many feel he deserve (Derbyshire, 2007). Leonhard Euler was born on April 15, 1707, in the town of Basel, in northern
…show more content…
He was offered a position with the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, teaching physiology. He accepted, but insisted on waiting until the following spring to travel, intending to use the ensuing time to further his study in the subjects he would be teaching. He had a second reason to postpone the trip to Russia as well. He hoped to secure a post with the University of Basel, which had an opening for the chair of the physics department. In these efforts, he wrote an article on acoustics that is now considered to be a classic, but he still was not chosen. Although qualified for the position, he was thought too young, at only 19 years old ("Euler biography", …show more content…
In 1738, according to Euler’s own writings, he developed problems with eyesight. Some historians, however, believe these difficulties may have started earlier, perhaps even causing the near-fatal illness in 1735. Euler won the Grand Prize of the Paris academy in 1738, and again in 1740, which earned him an excellent reputation. This prestige yielded an opportunity to go to the Academy of Science in Berlin. At first reluctant to accept, Euler eventually chose to go, due to political upheaval in Russia. On June 19, 1741, Euler left Russia, although he continued to work for the St Petersburg Academy, writing scientific reports and teaching. ("Euler biography", 2016).
In 1744, the Society of Sciences in Berlin reorganized to found the Berlin Academy of Science, with Leonhard the director of mathematics. He also served as proxy for the Academy’s president, Maupertuis, during his absences. Euler took on a number of responsibilities at the Academy, while also serving the government as an advisor. In 1759, Maupertuis died, and Euler was appointed to lead the Academy, but he was not granted the title of President, because of discord with King Frederick. Frederick’s intrusions eventually grew tiresome, and Leonhard elected to return to Russia in 1766 ("Euler biography",
He was offered a position with the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, teaching physiology. He accepted, but insisted on waiting until the following spring to travel, intending to use the ensuing time to further his study in the subjects he would be teaching. He had a second reason to postpone the trip to Russia as well. He hoped to secure a post with the University of Basel, which had an opening for the chair of the physics department. In these efforts, he wrote an article on acoustics that is now considered to be a classic, but he still was not chosen. Although qualified for the position, he was thought too young, at only 19 years old ("Euler biography", …show more content…
In 1738, according to Euler’s own writings, he developed problems with eyesight. Some historians, however, believe these difficulties may have started earlier, perhaps even causing the near-fatal illness in 1735. Euler won the Grand Prize of the Paris academy in 1738, and again in 1740, which earned him an excellent reputation. This prestige yielded an opportunity to go to the Academy of Science in Berlin. At first reluctant to accept, Euler eventually chose to go, due to political upheaval in Russia. On June 19, 1741, Euler left Russia, although he continued to work for the St Petersburg Academy, writing scientific reports and teaching. ("Euler biography", 2016).
In 1744, the Society of Sciences in Berlin reorganized to found the Berlin Academy of Science, with Leonhard the director of mathematics. He also served as proxy for the Academy’s president, Maupertuis, during his absences. Euler took on a number of responsibilities at the Academy, while also serving the government as an advisor. In 1759, Maupertuis died, and Euler was appointed to lead the Academy, but he was not granted the title of President, because of discord with King Frederick. Frederick’s intrusions eventually grew tiresome, and Leonhard elected to return to Russia in 1766 ("Euler biography",