Pierre-Simon LaPlace: biography
- Laplace was born March 23, 1749 in Beaumont-en-Auge, Normandy, France.
- At the age of sixteen, he was sent to the University of Caen to study theology.
- It was here that Pierre Simon developed his interest in mathematics due to the mentoring of two teachers.
- When he was only 19, he moved to Paris, without finishing his degree, to work as a professor of mathematics at the École Militaire with the fellow mathematician Jean-le-Rond D’Alembert.
- In 1773 Laplace communicated the first of many memoirs to the Academy of Sciences in Paris. In this memoir he treated two subjects: particular solutions of differential equations and the mean motions of the planets.
- Five years later, Laplace had already written 13 scientific papers regarding integral calculus, mechanics and physical astronomy, which gained him fame all over France.
- Laplace worked on physical problems such as heat, the theory of vapors, and electrostatics.
- He made the first advance toward the understanding of molecular forces in liquids.
- In acoustics, he suggested that the excess of the speed of sound over that expected could be explained in terms of the heat changes induced by the vibrations.
- Dynamical astronomy and the theory of probability, however, were Laplace's major interests.
- He advocated the application of probability theory not only in science but also to social and economic problems.
- His nebular hypothesis first popularized in 1796, explained how the Solar System evolved without the need for divine intervention.
- Laplace suggested that the nature of the universe is completely deterministic (events are bound by causality).
- In 1799 he was given a seat in the senate and became its vice president and chancellor in 1803.
- He was elected to the French Academy in 1816.
- In the same year he presided over the commission charged to reorganize the école Polytechnique.
- Although he encouraged able young mathematicians and scientists among his pupils, Laplace was not a successful teacher.
- He died in Paris on March 5, 1827, leaving a wife and a son.