The famous German mathematician David Hilbert was born in 1862 and died in 1943. He is called "the uncrowned king of mathematics", a genius among geniuses. The following is a brief introduction of Hilbert.

Hilbert photo

Hilbert was born in Lao Wei near Konigsberg, East Prussia. He has been studious since childhood and has great interest in science and mathematics. He became friends with the famous mathematician Minkowski, entered the University of Konigsberg together, and finally surpassed him. 1884, Hilbert received his Ph.D., then stayed in school to obtain the qualification of lecturer and was promoted to associate professor. 1893 was hired as a full professor. 1895 transferred to the University of G? ttingen as a professor, and has been living and working in G? ttingen ever since.

At the Second International Congress of Mathematicians held in Paris from 65438 to 0900, Hilbert gave a famous speech "Mathematical Problems". According to the achievements and development trend of previous mathematical research, he put forward 23 most important mathematical problems, collectively known as Hilbert problems, which later became difficulties that many mathematicians tried to overcome. It has had a far-reaching impact on the research and development of modern mathematics and played a positive role in promoting it. He once said that there is no unknowable in mathematics. "We must know, and we will know." After Hilbert died, his famous words were engraved on the tombstone.

1930, Hilbert retired. During this period, he served as a member of the School of Communication of the Berlin Academy of Sciences, and won the Lobachevsky Prize, Steiner Prize and Boyle Prize. 1930 became an honorary member of the Berlin Academy of Sciences after winning the Mittag Leffler Prize of the Swedish Academy of Sciences. Hilbert's integrity is also praised. On the eve of World War I, he refused to sign the book to the civilized world issued by the German government. However, with the intensification of the Nazi government's reactionary policies, most scientists went into exile in the United States, and the Gottingen School unfortunately declined. 1943, Hilbert died alone. Hilbert's introduction also ends here.

The connection between Hilbert and Einstein

Hilbert and Einstein were German mathematicians and Jewish physicists. Although these two geniuses come from different countries, their research fields are also different. But they all played a milestone role in the birth of the general relativity gravitational field equation.

Einstein's photo

Hilbert started teaching at the University of G? ttingen in 1985, and was a good friend of Einstein's teacher Minkowski. Einstein has been troubled by a problem, and his general theory of relativity can't find a suitable mathematical form to express it. So he came to G? ttingen, known as the "hometown of mathematics", and gave a speech at the famous University of G? ttingen, hoping that his general theory of relativity would be supported by experts in the field of mathematics. Hilbert, a gifted professor of mathematics at the University of G? ttingen, was present at that time, and he agreed with Einstein's general theory of relativity. Hilbert and Einstein later began to correspond, and Hilbert admitted that he began to explore how to describe general relativity with mathematical equations.

Soon after, Hilbert wrote to Einstein, telling him that he had thought of a method, and invited Einstein to G? ttingen to listen to his research results in person. Einstein resolutely refused Hilbert's invitation, hoping that he could send his own research paper. In anxiety, Einstein suddenly had inspiration and thought of the exact equation to solve the problem. And this idea is very similar to Hilbert's paper. However, Hilbert generously said that he had no priority and Einstein solved the problem alone. Hilbert and Einstein, two geniuses, appreciated each other very much and made outstanding contributions to science together.

Hilbert's nationality

Where is Hilbert from? Hilbert is German. He was born in 1862 and died in 1942. Anyone who knows it well knows that in the second half of Hilbert's life, the same country was active on the historical stage in order to expand the living space of Germany. But Hilbert's spirit does not conflict with Hilbert's nationality, and not everyone in Germany agrees with the Nazi leader's practice.

Hilbert photo

Hilbert is an upright scientist. On the eve of World War I, in order to deceive propaganda, he refused to sign the book to the civilized world published by the German government. During the war, he also dared to mourn the mathematicians of the enemy country and was fearless of the government. After Hitler came to power, he wrote a letter condemning the Nazi government's anti-Semitic policy and opposing their persecution of Jewish scientists. However, his opposition was in vain after all. Because of the growing strength of the Nazis, the schools of thought that eventually formed and flourished in Argentine universities were not spared from decline, and Hilbert died alone.

Hilbert's integrity lies not only in this respect, but also in his appreciation of knowledgeable young women. He ignored discrimination against women and hired female lecturers. His behavior was opposed by many professors of history and linguistics, but he still went his own way and even retorted that "this is a school, not a bathhouse." This angered many of his opponents.

The answer to where Hilbert came from is obvious. He is a worldwide mathematician, and his discoveries and theories are treasures of human civilization. Hitler tried to open up space in Germany, but in the end he failed. Hilbert has opened up infinite Hilbert space for mankind, and his contribution will be immortal.