Karl Weierstrass

Karl Theodor Wilhelm Weierstrass (Weierstraß) (October 31, 1815 – February 19, 1897) was a German mathematician who is often cited as the "father of modern analysis".

Biography

Karl Weierstrass was born in Ostenfelde, Westphalia (today Germany).

Related Topics:
Ostenfelde - Westphalia - Germany

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He was the son of Wilhem Weierstrass, a government official, and Theodora Vonderforst. His interest in mathematics began while he was a Gymnasium student, and was sent to the University of Bonn upon graduation to prepare for a government position. Because his studies were to be in the fields of law, economics, and finance, he was immediately in conflict with his hopes to study mathematics. He resolved the conflict by paying little heed to his planned course of study, but continued private study in mathematics. The outcome was leaving the university without a degree. His father was able to obtain a place for him in a teacher training school in Muenster, and he later was certified as a teacher in that city. During this period of study, Weierstrass attended the lectures of Christoph Gudermann and became interested in elliptic functions.

Related Topics:
University of Bonn - Muenster - Christoph Gudermann - Elliptic function

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After 1850 Weierstrass suffered from a long period of illness, but was able to publish papers that brought him fame and distinction. In 1857 he took the chair of mathematics at the University of Berlin. He was immobile for the last three years of his life, and died in Berlin from pneumonia.

Related Topics:
University of Berlin - Pneumonia

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