James Joseph Sylvester

Date of Birth: September 3, 1814

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: March 15, 1897

Biography

James Joseph Sylvester was an eminent British mathematician known for his contributions to matrix theory, invariant theory, number theory, and combinatorics. Born in London, England, Sylvester showed an early aptitude for mathematics, enrolling at the University of London at the age of 14. Despite facing anti-Semitic discrimination, he went on to study at St John’s College, Cambridge, and later became a professor at the University of Virginia, Johns Hopkins University, and the Royal Military Academy. He was also the first president of the London Mathematical Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society. Sylvester’s work in algebra, particularly in the development of the theory of invariants and matrix theory, had a lasting impact on the field. He collaborated with Arthur Cayley, another notable mathematician, to advance the theory of algebraic forms. Sylvester’s keen interest in poetry, along with his mathematical prowess, made him a unique figure in the academic world.

5 Interesting Facts about James Joseph Sylvester

1. Sylvester coined the mathematical terms “matrix” and “graph” in their modern sense.

2. He was fluent in multiple languages, including Greek, Latin, German, Italian, and French.

3. Sylvester was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society in 1880 for his contributions to mathematics.

4. He faced significant anti-Semitic prejudice throughout his academic career, which affected his appointments and recognitions.

5. Sylvester published poetry under the pseudonym “J.J.S.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Joseph Sylvester

1. “Mathematics is the music of reason.”

2. “May not music be described as the mathematics of the sense, mathematics as music of the reason?”

3. “The object of mathematical rigor is to sanction and legitimize the conquests of intuition, and there was never any other object or meaning in it.”

4. “I look upon the whole system of teaching mathematics as radically wrong.”

5. “In mathematics, to be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Sylvester’s exact net worth is not well-documented, but as a prominent academic in the 19th century, he was reasonably well-compensated for his contributions, particularly later in his career when he held prestigious positions.