Charles Hermite

Born in Dieuze, France, in 1822, Charles Hermite became one of the leading mathematicians of his century. He studied in Paris and later taught at major French institutions, building a reputation for deep, elegant work across number theory, algebra, and analysis.

Hermite is especially famous for his 1873 proof that e is transcendental, a landmark result in the history of mathematics. He also made important contributions to elliptic functions, orthogonal polynomials, and what are now called Hermitian forms and Hermite polynomials.

Beyond his own research, he was known as an inspiring teacher and a generous influence on other mathematicians. He died in 1901, but his name remains woven into mathematics through many ideas and objects that still carry it today.