Swiss Geometer and Number Theorist 1707–1783

Leonhard Euler developed integral calculus, introduced the concept of function, and created much mathematical notation. His devotion to solving difficult equations caused him to suffer from eye trouble.

Leonhard Euler is a name well known in many academic fields: philosophy, hydrodynamics, astronomy, optics, and physics. His true fame comes, however, through his prolific work in pure mathematics. He produced more scholarly work in mathematics than have most other mathematicians. His abilities were so great that his contemporaries called him "Analysis Incarnate."

Euler (pronounced "oiler") was born in Switzerland in 1707. He had originally intended to follow the career path of his father, who was a Calvinist clergyman. Euler studied theology and Hebrew at the University of Basel.

Johann Bernoulli, however, tutored Euler in mathematics on the side. Euler's facility in the subject was so great that his father, an amateur mathematician himself...