Famous Mathematician: David Hilbert
David Hilbert was born around 1682 in Konigsberg in East Prussia, which comprised a section of Germany and modern day Kaliningrad Russia. His father was a judge and his mother an amateur mathematician. He became known because of the contribution he made in mathematics and physics in the twentieth century. Hilbert is well remembered for landmark researches he conducted in algebra. He also left an indelible mark in axiomatic geometry and mathematics. Hilbert also profoundly contributed in other areas such as invariant theory and mathematical physics. Hilbert studied at the university of Konigsberg, and during his studies, he made several trips to abroad. He visited Europe on study Tours where he managed interact with some of the leading scientist during that era.
David Hilbert graduated from the gymnasium in his home town and is lucky to join the University of Konigsberg. After graduating, he continued studying his doctorate, which he got in 1885. His mathematical development brought on board friends that he met at the university. They included Murkowski and Hurwitz. The two vastly influenced his mathematical progress. Hilbert became a member of staff of his university, Konigsberg from 1886 up to 1895. He began as a Privatdozent or a senior lecturer before becoming an assistant professor for about one year. In 1893, he became a full professor. In the same year, he married his wife-Kathe Jerosch, and they have one child Franz Hilbert. It was the intervention of Felix Klein that Hilbert secured a position at the institution of Gottingen. He went there as a professor of mathematics. Most pertinent to note is that during this time that the university was the leading center for research in mathematics all over the world .
Life was not a bed of roses for Hilbert. His son Franz suffered from undiagnosed mental illness all through his life. Throughout this time, he remained a source of disappointment and distress to his father and the entire Gottingen community.
David Hilbert graduated from the gymnasium in his home town and is lucky to join the University of Konigsberg. After graduating, he continued studying his doctorate, which he got in 1885. His mathematical development brought on board friends that he met at the university. They included Murkowski and Hurwitz. The two vastly influenced his mathematical progress. Hilbert became a member of staff of his university, Konigsberg from 1886 up to 1895. He began as a Privatdozent or a senior lecturer before becoming an assistant professor for about one year. In 1893, he became a full professor. In the same year, he married his wife-Kathe Jerosch, and they have one child Franz Hilbert. It was the intervention of Felix Klein that Hilbert secured a position at the institution of Gottingen. He went there as a professor of mathematics. Most pertinent to note is that during this time that the university was the leading center for research in mathematics all over the world .
Life was not a bed of roses for Hilbert. His son Franz suffered from undiagnosed mental illness all through his life. Throughout this time, he remained a source of disappointment and distress to his father and the entire Gottingen community.
References: Corry, L. ( 2004). David Hilbert and the axiomatization of physics (1898-1918) : from Grundlagen der Geometrie to Grundlagen der Physik. Dordrecht: Kluwer. Hallett, M., & Maje, U. (2004). David Hilbert 's lectures on the foundations of geometry, 1891- 1902. Berlin : Springer. Hockfield, V. (2012). An unauthorized guide to notable mathematicians... by Victoria Hockfield. Berlin: Webster 's Digital Services.