MATH 5400, History of Mathematics
Lecture 14: Dawn of the 19th Century
Professor: Peter Gibson
York University
February 5, 2013
The Age of Enlightenment was a precursor to radical political
developments in France (and elsewhere) toward the end of the 18th
century.
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The French Revolution changed completely the political landscape.
the Tennis Court Oath, followed by the storming of the Bastille (1789)
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The French Revolution changed completely the political landscape.
the Tennis Court Oath, followed by the storming of the Bastille (1789)
the execution of Louis XVI (1793)
P. Gibson (York U)
Math 5400
5.2.2013
4 / 12
The French Revolution changed completely the political landscape.
the Tennis Court Oath, followed by the storming of the Bastille (1789)
the execution of Louis XVI (1793)
the Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
P. Gibson (York U)
Math 5400
5.2.2013
4 / 12
The French Revolution changed completely the political landscape.
the Tennis Court Oath, followed by the storming of the Bastille (1789)
the execution of Louis XVI (1793)
the Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
military adventures outside of France
P. Gibson (York U)
Math 5400
5.2.2013
4 / 12
The French Revolution changed completely the political landscape.
the Tennis Court Oath, followed by the storming of the Bastille (1789)
the execution of Louis XVI (1793)
the Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
military adventures outside of France
coup détat by Napolean Bonaparte (1799)
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P. Gibson (York U)
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Napoleon, who was in power from 1799-1815 conquered much of Europe
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Napoleon suffered a defeat in 1812 on the Russian front.
In 1814, after further defeats, he abdicated and was exiled to Elba.
He escaped, returned to Marseille, and regained power before finally
being defeated at Waterloo by a coalition of British and Prussian
forces.
He was then exiled to St. Helena, where he died in 1821.
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Despite the political turmoil, French mathematics flourished.
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Despite the political turmoil, French mathematics flourished.
For example, Augustin-Louis Cauchy (1789-1857) was born in the year of
the Revolution.
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1810 was qualified as a junior engineer, went to work at Cherbourg,
where he read mathematics in his spare time
1812 returned to Paris on sick leave
Aside: 1815 marked the restoration of Louis XVIII
1816 elected member of the Paris Academy, in a somewhat poisened
atmosphere; appointed Assiciate Professor at the Ecole Polytechnique
Taught also at the Collège de France
1830 Cauchy left France following the revolutionary tumult
1838 return to France
1848 regained his academic posts
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German developments
In 1737, King George II opened the University of Göttingen.
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The University of Göttingen was to become a major academic centre in
the coming centuries.
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The University of Göttingen was to become a major academic centre in
the coming centuries.
In 1807 the leading German mathematician of his day was appointed
director of the observatory.
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As a youth, Gauss was brought to the attention of the Duke of
Brunswick, who later supported him.
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As a youth, Gauss was brought to the attention of the Duke of
Brunswick, who later supported him.
He studied at the University of Göttingen (1795-1798), and then
returned to Brunswick.
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As a youth, Gauss was brought to the attention of the Duke of
Brunswick, who later supported him.
He studied at the University of Göttingen (1795-1798), and then
returned to Brunswick.
After the death of the Duke of Brunswick in 1807, Gauss was
appointed director of the observatory at Göttingen, where he
remained.
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