2.11 Introduction to the Famous Scientists
191
equation etc. important concepts, such as establishment of integral factor theory, originated integrating factor theory, proposed triangular interpolation formula. In terms
of astronomy, took part in the work of measuring the earth meridian in 1736. Put
forward geodetic fundamental law in 1743, also introduced the curvilinear integral.
All conducted research into the moon movement, the orbit of Halley’s comet and
the solar perturbation etc. problems. Was one of the founders of the dynamic theory
of movement. The works had Éléments de géométrie (1741), Théorie de la figure de
la terre (1743), Théorie de la lune (1752), Mémoire sur le probleme des trois corps
(1759) and Théorie du mouvement des comètes (1860) etc.
Poisson (Siméon Denis, 1781.6.21–1840.4.25) French mathematician, mechanician
and physicist. Born in Pithiviers, Orléanais (present-day Loiret), died in Paris. Graduated from the École Polytechnique in 1800, served as a professor of the university in
1806. Was elected a member of the French Academy of Sciences in 1812. Served as
a professor of rational mechanics at the Sorbonne University of Paris (La Sorbonne)
in 1816. Obtained the title of honorary academician of the Saint Petersburg Academy
of Sciences in 1826. Was awarded the title of nobility in 1837. The research contents
involved many aspects of modern science, all had important contributions in the finite
difference theory, heat transfer, electromagnetics, theoretical mechanics, mechanics
of elasticity, mathematical analysis, partial differential equations, probability theory,
calculus of variations, interior ballistics, external ballistics and fluid mechanics etc.
aspects. The Poisson distribution in probability theory, Poisson constant in elastic
mechanics and Poisson equation of gravity between spheres posed by him are very
famous. Published over 300 papers. The main works had Traité de mécanique (1811,
second edition 1833), Sur l’attraction des sphéroides (1829), Théorie nouvelle de
l’action cappillaire (1831) and Théorie mathématique de la chaleur (1835) etc.
Plateau (Joseph Antoine Ferdinand, 1801.10.14–1883.9.15) Belgian mathematician
and physicist. Born in Brussels, die in Ghent. Received the doctor of science degree
from the University of Liège in 1829. Taught at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel from
1830 to 1834, served as a professor at the Ghent University from 1835 to 1872. Was
elected an academician of the Belgium Academy of Sciences in 1836. Was a pioneer
of psychology and physiology. Invented the early stroboscope. In one experiment in
1843 lost his sight caused by looking at the sun, since then switched to the research of
molecules and thin films. The main contributions were in the variational method and
differential geometry, put forward that the space closed curve could have a minimal
surface problem, later it was called the Plateau minimal surface problem. The works
had Mémoire sur l’irradiation (1839) and Statique expérimentale et théorique des
liquides soumis aux seules forces moléculaires (1873).
Dirichlet (Peter Gustav Lejeune, 1805.2.13–1859.5.5) German mathematician. Born
in Düren, died in Göttingen. Studied abroad at the Collège de France and Faculté des
sciences de Paris from 1822 to 1826, came under the profound influence of Fourier.
Received a doctor’s degree from the University of Cologne in 1826. Served as an
associate professor at University of Berlin in 1828, served as a professor in 1839.
Served as a professor of the University of Göttingen in 1855. Became a member of the
191
equation etc. important concepts, such as establishment of integral factor theory, originated integrating factor theory, proposed triangular interpolation formula. In terms
of astronomy, took part in the work of measuring the earth meridian in 1736. Put
forward geodetic fundamental law in 1743, also introduced the curvilinear integral.
All conducted research into the moon movement, the orbit of Halley’s comet and
the solar perturbation etc. problems. Was one of the founders of the dynamic theory
of movement. The works had Éléments de géométrie (1741), Théorie de la figure de
la terre (1743), Théorie de la lune (1752), Mémoire sur le probleme des trois corps
(1759) and Théorie du mouvement des comètes (1860) etc.
Poisson (Siméon Denis, 1781.6.21–1840.4.25) French mathematician, mechanician
and physicist. Born in Pithiviers, Orléanais (present-day Loiret), died in Paris. Graduated from the École Polytechnique in 1800, served as a professor of the university in
1806. Was elected a member of the French Academy of Sciences in 1812. Served as
a professor of rational mechanics at the Sorbonne University of Paris (La Sorbonne)
in 1816. Obtained the title of honorary academician of the Saint Petersburg Academy
of Sciences in 1826. Was awarded the title of nobility in 1837. The research contents
involved many aspects of modern science, all had important contributions in the finite
difference theory, heat transfer, electromagnetics, theoretical mechanics, mechanics
of elasticity, mathematical analysis, partial differential equations, probability theory,
calculus of variations, interior ballistics, external ballistics and fluid mechanics etc.
aspects. The Poisson distribution in probability theory, Poisson constant in elastic
mechanics and Poisson equation of gravity between spheres posed by him are very
famous. Published over 300 papers. The main works had Traité de mécanique (1811,
second edition 1833), Sur l’attraction des sphéroides (1829), Théorie nouvelle de
l’action cappillaire (1831) and Théorie mathématique de la chaleur (1835) etc.
Plateau (Joseph Antoine Ferdinand, 1801.10.14–1883.9.15) Belgian mathematician
and physicist. Born in Brussels, die in Ghent. Received the doctor of science degree
from the University of Liège in 1829. Taught at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel from
1830 to 1834, served as a professor at the Ghent University from 1835 to 1872. Was
elected an academician of the Belgium Academy of Sciences in 1836. Was a pioneer
of psychology and physiology. Invented the early stroboscope. In one experiment in
1843 lost his sight caused by looking at the sun, since then switched to the research of
molecules and thin films. The main contributions were in the variational method and
differential geometry, put forward that the space closed curve could have a minimal
surface problem, later it was called the Plateau minimal surface problem. The works
had Mémoire sur l’irradiation (1839) and Statique expérimentale et théorique des
liquides soumis aux seules forces moléculaires (1873).
Dirichlet (Peter Gustav Lejeune, 1805.2.13–1859.5.5) German mathematician. Born
in Düren, died in Göttingen. Studied abroad at the Collège de France and Faculté des
sciences de Paris from 1822 to 1826, came under the profound influence of Fourier.
Received a doctor’s degree from the University of Cologne in 1826. Served as an
associate professor at University of Berlin in 1828, served as a professor in 1839.
Served as a professor of the University of Göttingen in 1855. Became a member of the