Euler's ancestors lived in Lindau at the end of 65438+6th century, and his great-grandfather HansGeorg Euler led his family down the Rhine and moved to Basel. Most members of this family are craftsmen. Euler's father, Paul Euler, graduated from the Department of Theology in university of basel. He is a Protestant priest. 1706, Paul married Margaret Brooke, the daughter of another priest. The following spring, Euler was born. 1708, Paul moved to Liheng village near Basel. Euler spent his childhood in this idyllic village.
Euler's father loves mathematics very much. When he was still studying in college, he often went to Jacob Bernoulli's math lectures. He personally gave Euler enlightenment education, including mathematics, hoping that his son would become a rising star in the teaching field. In order to get Euler a good school education in time, the virtuous mother sent him to his grandmother's house in Basel for several years and went to a liberal arts middle school there to study. However, mathematics is not taught in this school. The studious Euler studied alone with the amateur mathematician J- Boo-Lockhart. Euler is clever and witty, and loves mathematics. He studied C. Rudolf's algebra (1553) for several years.
1in the autumn of 720, Euler entered the liberal arts in university of basel at the age of 13. At that time, johann bernoulli was a professor of mathematics in the school. He teaches basic math courses every day, and also gives more advanced math and physics classes to several interested high flyers. Euler is johann bernoulli's most loyal listener. He studies all the subjects hard. But still not satisfied. Euler later wrote in his autobiography: "... Soon, I found an opportunity to introduce myself to the famous Professor johann bernoulli ... He was really busy, so he flatly refused to give me a lecture alone. However, he gave me many more valuable suggestions, which made me start to study more difficult math works independently and try my best to study them. He allows me to be free every Saturday afternoon if I encounter any obstacles or difficulties. " He always answers all my questions in a friendly way ... There is no doubt that this is the best way to succeed in mathematics. "John's two sons, Nicolaus Bernoulli II and daniel bernoulli, also became close friends of Euler.
1in the summer of 722, Euler obtained a bachelor's degree in university of basel. The following year, he got a master's degree in philosophy. However, the award of this degree was officially announced at the meeting on June 8, 1724. Previously, in order to satisfy his father's wishes, he joined the Department of Theology in the autumn of 1723. He did not study theology, Greek and Hebrew.
Euler started his mathematics research career at the age of 18. 1726, he published an article on the isochronous curve structure of damping media. The next year, he studied the ballistic problem and the best arrangement of the mast. The latter is the essay topic issued by the Paris Academy of Sciences this year. Although Euler's paper didn't win the prize, it was nominated for honor.
In Switzerland, the working conditions of young mathematicians were very difficult at that time, and the newly established St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences in Russia was recruiting talents. 1In the autumn of 725, Nicholas II and Daniel applied to go to Russia and recommended Euler to the authorities. The following autumn, Euler received a letter of appointment from the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg, Basel, asking him to be a physiology teaching assistant. However, it is difficult to leave his hometown. Euler began to study physiology with mathematical and mechanical methods. At the same time, I still hope to find a position in university of basel. Just then, a physics professor in this school died and there was an empty seat. Euler submitted a paper on "Discortatio physica de Sono (1727)" to the professors' council of our school, in order to win the professorship. In the fierce competition, Euler, who was under 20 years old, lost the election. 1727 On April 5, Euler bid farewell to his hometown and arrived in St. Petersburg on May 24. Since then, Euler's life and his scientific work have been closely linked with St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and Russia. He has never returned to Switzerland. But out of deep affection for the motherland, Euler has always retained Swiss nationality.
Euler began his research work immediately after he arrived in St. Petersburg. Soon, he got the opportunity to do research work in the field he was really good at. 1727 was appointed as an assistant academician of the Department of Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. He wrote an investigation report on the academic conference of St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. It also began to be published in the second volume (St. Petersburg, 1727). Although the political situation in Russia was turbulent in those years, the Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg was still in a difficult period, but the surrounding academic atmosphere was particularly beneficial to the development of Euler's talent. There are a group of outstanding scientists, such as mathematicians C Goldbach and daniel bernoulli, mechanics J Herman and trigonometrist F Mayer. Astronomer and geographer j.n. diller, etc. Their personal friendship and common scientific interest with Euler enabled them to cooperate with each other in scientific research and complement each other. In 2008+073 1 year, Euler became a professor of physics. When daniel bernoulli returned to Basel, he took over his math work. Take on the heavy responsibility of leading the mathematics department of the Academy of Sciences. These close friends have corresponded for more than 40 years, which has promoted the competition and development of science. In the winter of 2008, Euler married Katarina gesell, an art teacher of the Preparatory School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the daughter of Swiss painter Gerhard gesell. The following year, his eldest son John Albright was born. 18960.8886888866 17
At the beginning of the establishment of St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences, the Russian government instructed it to train and train Russian scientists in addition to pure scientific research. To this end, the Academy of Sciences has established a university and a preparatory school. The university has been running for nearly 50 years, and the preparatory course has been achieved 1805. The Russian government also commissioned the Academy of Sciences to draw a map of Russia. Solve various specific technical problems. Euler actively participated in and led the work of the Academy of Sciences. Since 1733, he and Dresso have successfully studied the map. Since the mid-1930s, Euler has devoted a lot of energy to the study of navigation and shipbuilding. These problems are of great significance for Russia to become a maritime power. Euler is a member of various technical committees. He is also a member of the Examination Committee of the Academy of Sciences. He must write and review manuscripts for journals of the Academy of Sciences, prepare handouts, and give lectures to affiliated universities and preparatory schools. However, his main achievement is in mathematical research.
During the first 14 years in St. Petersburg, Euler made many brilliant discoveries in the fields of analysis, number theory and mechanics with unparalleled work efficiency. By the end of 174 1 year, nearly 90 works have been completed and 55 have been published publicly. Including 1936, two volumes of "Four Motus SCIE-NTIA Analytice Exposita of Machinery". His research results are fruitful and his reputation is growing day by day. Won the respect of scientists all over the world. Johann bernoulli, Euler's former mentor, called him "the most knowledgeable scientist" as early as 1728, and 1737 called him "the most famous and knowledgeable mathematician". "Euler later said modestly ... I and all other people who had the privilege of working in Imperial College London for a period of time had to admit that we should seize what we have obtained.
Due to overwork, Euler lost his right eye after a illness in 1738. But he still worked tirelessly. He loves science and life. He likes children very much (he had 13 children in his life, but all but five died young). When writing a paper, he often holds the baby on his knee and the older children play around his knee. He likes music very much.
1740 autumn and winter, Russia's political situation suddenly changed again, and the situation was extremely unstable. At this time, Euler also had a friction with J.D. Schuma-Schell, a consultant of St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. He was a rude and bossy person. In order not to damage his scientific career, Euler hoped to find a new way out. Frederick the great, who happened to inherit the Prussian throne, decided to revive the Berlin Academy of Sciences this summer. He warmly invited Euler to work in Berlin. Euler accepted the invitation. On June 174 19, Euler left St. Petersburg and arrived in Berlin on July 25.
The Berlin Academy of Sciences was founded in 1700 with the strong promotion of G.W. Leibniz, and then declined. Euler lived in Berlin for 25 years. At that time, he was energetic and tireless. He assisted the work of P. Maupe-rtuis, president of Berlin Academy of Sciences, and played an important role in the reconstruction and development of Berlin Academy of Sciences.
In Berlin, Euler is the director of the Department of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences. He is a member of the Academy of Sciences, a library consultant and a member of the Academic Works Publishing Committee. He also undertook many other administrative affairs, such as managing the observatory and botanical garden, proposing personnel arrangements, supervising finance, and publishing yearbooks and maps. In the absence of President Mopti, Euler acted as President. After the death of Mopti 1759, although he was not officially appointed as the president, he actually led the work of the Academy of Sciences. The friendship between Euler and Moppetti made Euler have a great influence on all the activities of Berlin Academy of Sciences, especially the selection of academicians.
Euler also served as an adviser to the Prussian government on issues such as safety insurance and pension. He learned about the latest achievements in artillery for frederick the great (1745), designed and rebuilt the Fanor Canal (1749), and was responsible for the design of the hydraulic system piping and water pump system of the Royal Villa in Prussia. He maintained extensive contacts with professors from many universities in Germany, which promoted the compilation of university textbooks and mathematics teaching.
During this period, Euler retained the qualification of an academician of St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and received an annual salary. Entrusted by the Academy of Sciences, Euler compiled the mathematical part of the journal, introduced the scientific ideas of Western Europe, purchased books and scientific instruments, and recommended researchers and subjects. He played an important role in training Russian scientific talents. He often sends his academic papers to St. Petersburg. About half of his papers were published in Latin in St. Petersburg. The other half was published in French in Berlin. In addition, he was elected as a member of the Royal Society of London (1749), a member of the Basel Society of Physics and Mathematics (1753) and an academician of the Paris Academy of Sciences (1755).
The Berlin period was the heyday of Euler's scientific research, and its research scope expanded rapidly. His academic competition with D'Alembert and Bernoulli laid the foundation of mathematical physics. Together with Clairaux and D'Alembert, he promoted the research on the motion theory of the moon and planets. At the same time, Euler elaborated the rigid body motion theory in detail, established the mathematical model of fluid dynamics, and deeply studied many technical problems such as optics, electromagnetism and achromatic refraction telescope. He wrote about 380 works. Among them, 275 kinds have been published, including several masterpieces in the fields of analysis, mechanics, astronomy, artillery and ballistics, shipbuilding and navigation, among which 1748 published the two-volume "The Analyst in Infinite Rum", and the intro du-ctio occupies a very important position in the history of mathematics.
Euler took part in the heated debate between Leibniz and Wolff about monism in 65438+11940s. Euler is close to Descartes' mechanical materialism in natural philosophy, and he and Mopti are both "opponents" of monism. In 2008+07565438, S. Koenig. He published several articles criticizing Mopti's "principle of minimum action". The next year, Euler wrote an article to refute it and explain it to Mopti in simpler language. In addition to these philosophical and scientific debates, Euler also participated in three other debates that are more important to the development of mathematics: the debate with D'Alembert about negative logarithm; Debate between D'Alembert and daniel bernoulli on solving the vibration equation of string: debate with J. Dollond on optics.
1759 After Mopti's death, Euler was in charge of the Berlin Academy of Sciences under the direct supervision of the King of Prussia. The relationship between Euler and frederick the great was not harmonious. 1763, after learning that Frederick wanted to award the position of dean to D'Alembert, Euler began to consider leaving Berlin. According to Queen Catherine's will, St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences immediately sent a letter of appointment to Euler. I sincerely hope that he can return to St. Petersburg. However, D'Alembert refused to move to Berlin for a long time, which made Frederick postpone the final decision on the dean. After the Seven Years' War, Frederick rudely interfered with Euler's management of the Berlin Academy of Sciences. From 2007 to 2007, Euler and Frederick had a serious conflict on financial issues. He begged the king of Prussia to allow him to leave Berlin. 36860 . 68868888686
Euler's home is located in a comfortable place not far from St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences on the Neva River. His eldest son, Albright, became an academician of the Academy of Sciences and a professor of physics this year, and was appointed lifelong secretary of the Academy of Sciences three years later. 1766, Euler and his son were also elected as executive members of the Academy of Sciences. Euler's work was satisfactory, but bad luck followed. Shortly after returning to St. Petersburg, a disease made Euler's left eye almost completely blind. At this time, he can't read any more. He could barely see the outline of the big font and wrote it on the slate with chalk. In 2008, Euler was completely blind. This year, a catastrophic fire in St. Petersburg destroyed Euler's residence and property. Only Euler and his manuscript were saved. 1773 1 1 In June, Euler's wife, Cordelina, passed away. Three years later, her half-sister Salome Megsell became Euler's second wife.
Euler suffered a heavy blow from blindness, fire and widowhood in his later years, and he still made unremitting efforts without reducing his scientific activities. Around him, there are a group of active collaborators, including: his sons Albright and Christopher; Academician Kraft and Academician Leksell; Two young assistants, N. Fuss and M. E. Golovin, discussed with them the overall plan of publishing their works, and sometimes simply dictated the results of their research. They make Euler's thinking clearer, and sometimes they make up examples for Euler's works. According to Fuss own statistics, he compiled 250 papers for Euler in seven years. Golovin compiled 70 articles. Euler has great respect for other people's labor. 1772 "NOVA Methodoporta" was published with the help of Albright, Kraft and Lexell, and Euler printed their names on the title page of this book.
After returning to St. Petersburg, Euler's works were published more. Almost half of his works were published after 1765, including his three-volume system of integral (Institutiones calculi integralis, 1768- 1770) and letters to princess dessau on physical and philosophical issues (letters à une princess d 'allemagne sur divers su subjects de physique et de philosophy, 1768- 1772). The most important part of the former was completed in Berlin. The latter originated from the teaching content of Euler to the niece of the Prussian king. This elegant and easy-to-understand scientific work was quickly translated into many languages in Europe after its publication and sold well all over the world for a long time. Euler is the most prolific mathematician in history.
Euler's prolificacy also benefited from his extraordinary memory and mental arithmetic ability. At the age of 70, he can accurately recall the first and last lines of every page of Homer's Iliad he read when he was young. He can recite the main formulas in the field of mathematics at that time and the first six powers of the first 65,438+000 prime numbers. Mr condorcet gave an example. It is enough to illustrate Euler's mental arithmetic skills: two students of Euler added up the 17 terms of a rather complicated convergence series, and when they reached the 50th digit, there was a dispute because they were one unit short. In order to determine who is right, Euler did mental arithmetic on the whole calculation process and finally found out the error.
1On September 8, 783, Euler spent the first half of the day as usual. He gave his granddaughter a math lesson, calculated the movement of balloons on two blackboards with chalk, and then discussed the orbit calculation of Uranus discovered by F.W. Herschel two years ago with Lexell and Fowles. At about 5 pm, Euler suddenly had a cerebral hemorrhage.
Shortly after Euler's death, Foss and condorcet made eulogies at the memorial service of the Academy of Sciences in St Petersburg and Paris respectively. Condorcet said at the end of his eulogy: "Euler stopped living and calculating."
Euler's Bodhisattva works were imported into China in many ways before his death, including the famous Introduction to Infinite Analysis, the first edition of which was 1748. Some works are collected by Beijing Beitang Library. They were presented to Beijing Jesuit Society or Beijing Nantang Jesuit College by St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences on 1940 18. This is also an obvious evidence of the early mathematical communication between China and Russia. Algebra (1873) and Tracing the Origin of Differential Products (1874), which were jointly translated by the mathematician Hua and the British in the Qing Dynasty, introduced Euler theory. Lan He's Algebra (1859), Zhao's Optics (1876) and Huang's Biography of Four Domains (1898) also recorded Euler's theory or Euler's deeds (see the literature for details). It also belongs to the whole civilized world. A .пjuszkiewicz(кшкевич), a famous mathematical historian, said that people can evaluate Euler by what B. Fontenelle said about Leibniz. "He was very happy to see the seeds he provided in someone else's botanical garden.
Among all Euler's scientific contributions, his mathematical achievements occupy the most prominent position, and he also shines brilliantly in mechanics, astronomy and physics.
(Excerpted from the Biographical Dictionary of Mathematicians in Zhang Hongguang)