Gauss, Carl Friedrich |
| MATHEMATICIAN (GERMANY) |
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BORN 30 Apr 1777, Braunschweig, Niedersachsen - DIED 23 Feb 1855, Göttingen, Niedersachsen BIRTH NAME Gauss, Johann Carl Friedrich GRAVE LOCATION Göttingen, Niedersachsen: Albani-Friedhof |
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Carl Friedrich Gauss was the only son of Gebhard Dietrich Gauß (1744-1808). When he was nine years old he found a quick way to add the of 1 to 100. When he was fourteen he was introduced to duke Karl Wilhlem Ferdinand von Braunschweig, who supported him financially. He studied at the Collegium Carolinum from 1792 to 1795. In 1795 he entered the University of Göttingen where he rediscovered several theorems. In 1796 he made his first important discovery in mathematics in the field of polygons. After he was promoted in 1797 he worked in Braunschweich. In 1801 his publication on algebraic number theory brought him strong recognition. In 1805 he married Johanna Osthoff (1780-1809). In 1806 their son Joseph was born. In 1807 he obtained a professorship in Göttingen and he became the director of the observatory. In 1807 his daughter Wilhelmina was born and in 1809 a son, Louis, followed. Johanna died after his birth. In 1810 he married Minna Waldeck, the best fried of his deceased wife and a daughter of Johann Peter Waldeck. With her he had three further children. His research over the years contributed to mathematics as well as to astronomy. With Wilhelm Weber he created the first electric telegraph. His research on elliptic functions wasn't published at the time and he withheld more of his work from publication. In 1848 he didn't support the revolutionary movements and in 1849 he became a honourary citizen of both Braunschweig and Göttingen. During his last years he had heart trouble and couldnt sleep. In 1855 he died in Göttingen. After his death much unpublished research was discovered and his work remained very influential for the remainder of the century. Family • Son: Gauss, Carl Joseph Related persons • was teacher of Bunsen, Robert Wilhelm • was teacher of Dedekind, Richard • corresponded with Germain, Sophie • was teacher of Heine, Eduard • was a friend of Weber, Wilhelm Eduard |
| Images | |
 The grave of Carl Friedrich Gauss at the Albani Friedhof, Göttingen. Picture by Androom (25 Aug 2017) |
 Statue of Carl Friedrich Gauss and Wilhelm Weber in Göttingen. (25 Aug 2017) Picture by Androom (25 Aug 2017) |
Sources • Carl Friedrich Gauss - Wikipedia (DE) |
