Germain, Marie-Sophie

Marie-Sophie Germain (^∗April 1, 1776, in Paris, France; †June 27, 1831, in Paris, France) was a mathematician, physicist, and philosopher.

Early Years and Education

Marie-Sophie Germain was the second of three daughters. Her father Ambroise-Francois Germain was a merchant and goldsmith influenced by the French Revolution. Despite initial opposition of her parents, she studied mathematical books of the library of her father from the early years. In the age of 13, she studied alone Latin and Greek. Later this allowed her to read the books and papers of Newton, Euler, Laplace, Lagrange, and Gauß.

To obtain a mathematical education was not so easy in that time since it was not allowed to attend universities. She used the lecture notes of one of the students of the École Polytechnique for self-education. Later after his death, she submitted by mail some solutions under his name. Joseph-Louis Lagrange, one of the professors, was satisfied and invited her for an appointment. He was surprised...