Bernoulli, Johann

Johann Bernoulli (^∗July 27th, jul./August (6th, greg.), 1667, in Basel, Switzerland; †January 1th, 1748, in Basel, Switzerland) was a Swiss mathematician and one of the many prominent mathematicians in the Bernoulli family. He is known for his contributions to infinitesimal calculus and educating Leonhard Euler in the pupil’s youth.

Early Years and Education

Johann was the 10th child of Nicolaus Bernoulli (an apothecary) and his wife, Margaretha Schonauer. He began studying medicine at the University of Basel. His father desired that he should be educated in business to take over the family spice trade. But Johann Bernoulli asks the permission of his father to study medicine instead. However, he was not attracted by medicine and began studying mathematics influenced by his older brother Jacob at the University of Basel. Both Bernoulli brothers were focused at the beginning to the branch of analysis – the infinitesimal calculus. They were among the first mathematicians applying it to...