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Leonard
Euler was born in Basle on April 15, 1707. His father, Pastor
Paul Euler, was instructed in mathematics by James Bernoulli.
At a young age, he instilled in Euler a strong foundation in mathematics.
When
young Euler was old enough, he was sent to the University of Basle,
where he stayed at his grandmother's house. His father had hopes
that he would choose to study ministry, to follow in his and his
older brother's footsteps.
Euler
remained a devout Christian his entire life, but Euler's love
was in math,
 and he took every opportunity to study it. It was
not long until he was worthy to receive lessons from John Bernoulli.
However short lived his lessons, due to the wishes of his father,
Euler began the study of theology. Later, his father realized
Euler's strong attachment to mathematics. He eventually allowed
his son to pursue his own dreams.
By
1726, Euler had an article in print, on isochronous curves in
a resisting medium. In 1727 he published an article on reciprocal
trajectories and submitted an entry for the 1727 Grand Prize of
the Paris Academy on the best arrangement of masts on a ship.
He received second place.
Euler
was offered a post at St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, Russia,
which would involve him in teaching applications of mathematics
and mechanics to physiology. Euler was a little hesitant, until
he learned that he would not be appointed to the chair of physics
at Basle. He then accepted the offer. Euler left Basel on April
5, 1727. He traveled by boat down the Rhine, crossed the German
states by post wagon, then by boat from Lübeck and arriving in
St Petersburg on May 17, 1727.
Euler
served as a medical lieutenant in the Russian navy from 1727 to
1730. While in St. Petersburg he lived with Daniel Bernoulli,
son of John Bernoulli. Unhappy in Russia, Daniel would ask Euler
to bring him tea, coffee, brandy, and other delicacies from Switzerland.
Euler
became professor of physics at the academy in 1730. Since this
allowed him to become a full member of the Academy, he was able
to give up his Russian navy post. Daniel left St Petersburg to
return to Basel in 1733, and Euler was appointed to take his place
as senior chair of mathematics. Now with a higher income, in the
same year Euler married Gesell from Switzerland, a daughter of
a successful painter.
In
1735, due to high stress Euler was thrown into a life threatening
fever. He had symptoms of eyestrain, which may have brought on
the fever. In the end, the fever left Euler blind in one eye.
After
eight years, in response to the King of Prussia, Euler quit St.
Petersburg and went to Berlin, 1741. He was presented to the queen
mother, a princess who enjoyed associating with illustrious men.
However, she was never able to draw him into any substantial conversation.
In frustration, she asked way he would not converse with her.
He replied, "Madam, it is because I have just came from a
country where every person who speaks is hanged."
In
1744, Euler obtained the prize for the best work on the theory
of magnetism at the Academy of Sciences, Paris. The same year
he was appointed Director of the Mathematical Classes of the academy.
In
1760, a Russian army marched through Brandenburg, and among other
things, they pillaged a farm. The Russian general was shocked
to find that the farm had belonged to Euler. He immediately repaired
the damage and gave Euler a large reimbursement. The Empress Elizabeth
also gave him four thousand florins.
Impressed
with the sympathy that Russia gave him, and due to a sense of
loyalty, Euler went back to St. Petersburg where he remained the
rest of his life. However, he was forced to leave his son behind,
who was devoted in helping his father with his work and publications.
In
1771, a fire broke out in St. Petersburg, which reached Euler's
house. Peter Grimm, a friend, knowing the danger that his friend
was in; ran into the house and brought Euler out on his shoulder.
In the end, Euler lost most of his furniture and his library.
Shortly
after the fire Euler had a cataract operation, restored his sight
for a few days. However, Euler seemed to have failed to take necessary
care of himself, and he became totally blind on July 17. With
the help of his family and pupils, he was able to dictate all
of his calculations and memories. This made it possible for him
to publish his works, despite his misfortunes.
In
1783, while enjoying the company of one of his grandchildren,
Euler died of a stroke. He was 79.
Biography:
"Archimedes,"
January 26, 2002, http://www.historychannel.com/
Kahaner,
D., Moler, C., Nash, S., Numerical Methods and Software. New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1989. pp. 212-214.
Forbes,
G.E. The Euler-Mayer Correspondence (1751-1755). New York: E.G.
Forbes, 1971.
Connor,
O', Robertson, J.J, "Leonard Euler", January 18, 2002,
http://www-groups.dcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Euler.html
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