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Bernoullis"The Bernoullis [Johann and Jacob] took their mathematics in deadly earnest. Some of their letters about mathematics bristle with strong language that is usually reserved for horse thieves. For his part, Johann... threw his own son [Daniel (1700–1782)] out of the house for having won a prize from the French Academy of Sciences for which Johannes himself had competed. After all, if rational human beings get excited about a game of cards, why should they not blow up over mathematics which is infinitely more exciting?"
[Johann had reason to be envious: Daniel anticipated the law of conservation of energy, did pioneering work in the molecular theory of gases, and contributed to probability theory and the theory of differential equations.]
Bernoulli, Johann [Jean] (1667-1748) Swiss mathematician [noted for his development of the calculus of variations]
[Sources: E. T. Bell, Men of Mathematics]More Johann Bernoulli anecdotesRelated Anecdote Keywords:
Mathematics Rivalries Fathers Feuds Envy Expulsions
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