Jacob Bernoulli
Swiss mathematician
Years: 1654 - 1705
Jacob Bernoulli (also known as James or Jacques) (December 27, 1654 – August 16, 1705) is one of the many prominent mathematicians in the Bernoulli family.
Jacob Bernoulli was born in Basel, Switzerland.
Following his father's wish, he studies theology and enters the ministry, but contrary to the desires of his parents, he also studies mathematics and astronomy.
He travels throughout Europe from 1676 to 1682, learning about the latest discoveries in mathematics and the sciences.
This includes the work of Robert Boyle and Robert Hooke.
He becomes familiar with calculus through a correspondence with Gottfried Leibniz, then collaborates with his brother Johann on various applications, notably publishing papers on transcendental curves (1696) and isoperimetry (1700, 1701).
In 1690, Jacob Bernoulli becomes the first person to develop the technique for solving separable differential equations.
Upon returning to Basel in 1682, he founds a school for mathematics and the sciences.
He is appointed professor of mathematics at the University of Basel in 1687, remaining in this position for the rest of his life.
