ProofWiki:Mathematicians/Charles Hermite

French mathematician who did research mainly in the fields of number theory and analysis.

The first to prove that e is transcendental.

He was an inspiring teacher, having Thomas Stieltjes as a pupil.

Brother-in-law of Joseph Bertrand.

Most notable for sharing a birthday with Matt Westwood, Carol Vorderman and Lemmy.

Nationality

French

History

• Born: December 24, 1822
• 1842: Entered École Polytechnique but left soon after.
• 1848: Married Louise Bertrand.
• Died: January 14, 1901

Theorems and Definitions

• Hermite Polynomial
• Hermite Normal Form
• Hermitian Operator
• Cubic Hermite Spline

Books and Papers

• 1855: Sur quelques applications des fonctions elliptiques
• 1891: Cours professé à la Faculté des Sciences

Also see

• John J. O'Connor and Edmund F. Robertson: "Charles Hermite": MacTutor History of Mathematics archive

• Eric Temple Bell: Men of Mathematics (1937): Chapter $\text{XXIV}$
• George F. Simmons: Calculus Gems (1992): Chapter $\text{A}.30$