Abraham de Moivre

Abraham de Moivre (May 26, 1667–November 27, 1754) was a French mathematician famous for de Moivre's formula, which links complex numbers and trigonometry, and for his work on the normal distribution and probability theory. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1697, and was a friend of Isaac Newton and Edmund Halley.

Related Topics:
May 26 - 1667 - November 27 - 1754 - French - Mathematician - De Moivre's formula - Complex number - Trigonometry - Normal distribution - Probability theory - Royal Society - Isaac Newton - Edmund Halley

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De Moivre was born in Vitry-le-François, Champagne. The social status of his family is unclear, but De Moivre's father, a surgeon, was able to send him to the Protestant academy at Sedan (1678-82). De Moivre studied logic at Saumur (1682-84),

Related Topics:
Champagne - Sedan - Saumur

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attended the Collège de Harcourt in Paris (1684), and studied privately with Jacque Ozanam (1684-85). It does not appear that De Moivre received a college degree.

Related Topics:
Collège de Harcourt - Jacque Ozanam

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De Moivre was a Calvinist. He left France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) and spent the remainder of his life in England.

Related Topics:
Calvinist - Edict of Nantes

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Throughout his life he remained poor. It is reported that he was a regular customer of Slaughter's Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane at Cranbourn Street, where he earned a little money from playing chess.

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He died in London and was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, although his body was later moved.

Related Topics:
London - St Martin-in-the-Fields

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De Moivre wrote a book on probability theory, titled The Doctrine of Chances.

Related Topics:
Probability theory - The Doctrine of Chances

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