Georg Cantor

Date of Birth: March 3, 1845

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: January 6, 1918

Biography

Georg Cantor was a pioneering German mathematician born in the mid-19th century who is best known for creating set theory and introducing the concept of infinite numbers with his theory of transfinite numbers. Cantor’s groundbreaking work laid the foundation for much of modern mathematics, particularly in the field of mathematical logic and the study of infinity. Cantor was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a family of Danish descent. His family moved to Germany when he was young, and he later attended the University of Berlin, where he studied under some of the most influential mathematicians of his time. Throughout his career, Cantor faced significant opposition and skepticism from his contemporaries, who found his ideas about infinity controversial and difficult to accept. Despite this, his work eventually gained recognition and had a profound influence on both mathematics and philosophy. Cantor suffered from mental illness later in his life, which some have speculated was exacerbated by the professional isolation and criticism he faced. He spent his final years in a sanatorium, but his contributions to mathematics have endured, cementing his legacy as one of the great mathematical minds of his era.

5 Interesting Facts about Georg Cantor

1. Georg Cantor was the first to prove that there are different sizes of infinity.

2. He introduced the concept of cardinal numbers to measure the sizes of sets.

3. Cantor’s work laid the groundwork for much of 20th-century mathematics, including the development of topology and the formalization of the concept of a function.

4. He corresponded extensively with other mathematicians, including Richard Dedekind and David Hilbert, who supported his work.

5. Despite his monumental contributions to mathematics, Cantor struggled with episodes of severe depression throughout his life.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Georg Cantor

1. “The essence of mathematics lies in its freedom.”

2. “In mathematics, the art of proposing a question must be held of higher value than solving it.”

3. “My theory stands as firm as a rock; every arrow directed against it will return to its archer.”

4. “A set is a Many that allows itself to be thought of as a One.”

5. “To ask the right question is harder than to answer it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Georg Cantor did not achieve significant wealth from his work. The concept of net worth is not applicable in the same way it is for contemporary figures.

Children

Georg Cantor and his wife, Vally Guttmann, had six children: a son named Georg and five daughters named Else, Minna, Martha, Gertrud, and Marie. His family life was often affected by his bouts of mental illness, but his children remained an important part of his life.