James Joseph Sylvester

James Joseph Sylvester (September 3, 1814 - March 15, 1897) was an English mathematician and lawyer.

Related Topics:
September 3 - 1814 - March 15 - 1897 - English - Mathematician - Lawyer

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Sylvester was born in London and studied at St John's College, Cambridge from 1833 but because he was Jewish he did not graduate, as during this period, it was required for potential graduates to accept the Thirty-Nine Articles of the Church of England,and he refused. However, he took Cambridge's famous mathematics exam and was ranked second. In 1841 he moved to United States for a short period to become a professor at the University of Virginia but he soon returned to England.

Related Topics:
London - St John's College - Cambridge - 1833 - Jew - Thirty-Nine Articles - Church of England - 1841 - United States - University of Virginia - England

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In 1877 Sylvester again crossed the Atlantic Ocean for a new job at Johns Hopkins University. In 1878 he founded the American Journal of Mathematics, the first mathematical journal in the United States.

Related Topics:
1877 - Atlantic Ocean - Johns Hopkins University - 1878 - American Journal of Mathematics

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He finally returned to England in 1883 to take up the position of Savilian Professor of Geometry at Oxford University. He held this chair until his death on March 15, 1897, though in 1892 the University appointed a deputy professor in his place.

Related Topics:
1883 - Savilian Professor of Geometry - Oxford University - March 15 - 1897 - 1892

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It is said that Sylvester invented one of the highest numbers of mathematical terms such as the totient function φ(n). His scientific work is collected in a four volume book.

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Sylvester was a great master of the use of the umbral calculus.

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In 1880 the Royal Society of London awarded Sylvester the Copley Medal, their highest award for scientific achievement; in 1901 it instituted the Sylvester Medal in his memory for the encouragement of mathematical research.

Related Topics:
1880 - Royal Society of London - Copley Medal - 1901 - Sylvester Medal

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Sylvester House, an undergraduate dormitory at Johns Hopkins, is named in his honor.

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