Germain, Sophie (1776–1831)
French mathematician who made notable contributions to number
theory and to mathematical physics despite a lack of formal training
and the social prejudices of her day. She taught herself, against her parents'
wishes, often at night, during the Reign of Terror following the French
Revolution, with books from her father's library. When deprived of heat
and light, she would wrap herself in quilts and use candles. Finally her
parents acquiesced to her "incurable" passion for mathematics and let her
study. Through Joseph Lagrange, to whom she had originally submitted work
under a pseudonym, she gained access to a circle of distinguished mathematicians,
including Carl Gauss. Among her most important
work was an analysis of Ernst Chladni's studies of vibrating surfaces, and
her proof that if x, y, and z are integers and
if x5 + y5 = z5
then at least one of x, y, or z must be divisible
by 5 (a result now known as Germain's Theorem); this was an important early
step towards proving Fermat's Last
Theorem.
Related category
• MATHEMATICIANS
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