Biography of Famous Mathematicians Joseph-Louis Lagrange
Joseph-Louis Lagrange: Pioneer in Analytical Mechanics
Early Life:
Joseph-Louis Lagrange was born Giuseppe Lodovico Lagrangia on January 25, 1736, in Turin, Kingdom of Sardinia (now Italy). His parents were Giuseppe Francesco Lodovico Lagrangia, a treasurer in the Royal Sardinian army, and Teresa Grosso. Lagrange showed an early aptitude for mathematics and astronomy, and he began studying these subjects at a young age.
At the age of 17, Lagrange entered the Royal Turin Military Academy, where he studied mathematics under the guidance of the Marquis de l’Hôpital. Lagrange’s mathematical abilities flourished during this time, and he quickly gained recognition for his talent.
Academic Career in Turin:
In 1754, Lagrange was appointed to the chair of mathematics at the Royal Artillery School in Turin. During this period, he made significant contributions to the field of calculus and differential equations. In 1758, Lagrange presented his work on variations of a functional, which would later become known as the Euler-Lagrange equation. This marked the beginning of his influential contributions to the calculus of variations.
Move to Berlin and Collaborations:
In 1766, Lagrange accepted an invitation from Frederick II of Prussia to join the Berlin Academy. This move allowed him to work alongside other prominent mathematicians and scientists, including Euler. Lagrange’s time in Berlin proved to be fruitful, as he continued to delve into various mathematical disciplines.
During his Berlin years, Lagrange made significant contributions to celestial mechanics and the three-body problem, a field of study related to the motion of celestial bodies under gravitational influence. He also developed Lagrangian mechanics, a reformulation of classical mechanics that would become foundational in physics.
Move to Paris and the French Revolution:
In 1787, Lagrange moved to Paris after receiving an invitation from Louis XVI to join the French Academy of Sciences. He was appointed to the Bureau des Longitudes and the Paris Academy. Lagrange’s work during this period focused on celestial mechanics, number theory, and the study of differential equations.
The French Revolution brought about a challenging period for Lagrange. He navigated the changing political landscape, facing challenges associated with his connections to the royal court. However, he managed to maintain a relatively neutral stance, allowing him to continue his research.
Later Years and Legacy:
Lagrange remained in Paris even after the fall of the monarchy, and he contributed to the development of the metric system. In 1797, he became a professor at the Collège de France.
Joseph-Louis Lagrange passed away on April 10, 1813, in Paris. His legacy is profound, particularly in the fields of celestial mechanics, calculus of variations, and analytical mechanics. Lagrange’s work laid the groundwork for many subsequent developments in mathematics and physics. His contributions to the understanding of mechanics, optimization, and mathematical analysis have left an indelible mark on the scientific community.