10. GOTTFRIED LEIBNIZ

(July 1, 1646 – November 14, 1716)

Leibniz was a universal genius who contributed copiously to arts and sciences. His knack-for-numbers enabled him fine-tune the cumbersome arithmetics of the old binary system. Several analytical terms like: parameters, functions, variables, and coordinates are attributed to him. Both the Berlin and the Saint Petersburg Science Academies owe their establishments to his advice. His 17th century contemplation, in which he postulated that the earth is likely to contain a molten core, has been hailed as a scintillating milestone in modern geology. He also explored the scopes of mathematical physics and made advances in symbolic logic (which is precursor to modern computing). In the process, he developed various gadgets which included the pinwheel calculator. He even anticipated Topology (as Geometria Situs) long before Leonhard Euler was born. Likewise, the Principle of Least Action which he furtively deduced, predated those of Euler and Pierre-Louis Maupertuis by four decades. Gottfried Leibniz discovered Infinitesimal Calculus independently of Isaac Newton, and wrote more extensively on it than Newton did. His integral-cum-differential-notations are favored today because they are easier, more intuitive, and above all, better than Newton’s. These are remarkable: given the fact that he was career diplomat who learnt science as hobby (from Christiaan Huygens, as well as by studying the works of Blaise Pascal which Huygens recommended). In view of his superb abilities, many scholars rank him among the greatest polymaths. And in 1985, the Leibniz Prize, (one of Europe’s top scientific awards which rewards excellence in research), was endowed in his honor.

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