Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

Early Life

• Born to a Lutheran family July 1, 1646 in Leipzig, Germany
• Interested in the writers of the Renaissance, compared them with ancient speakers such as Aristotle

Who is He?

• Had many areas of expertise
• Extensive work in geology and as a historian in addition to mathematics

Events During His Life

• Played key role in sparking the War of Spanish Succession
• Leading philosopher contributing to the Age of Rationalism

Importance to Mathematics

• Independently discovered differential and integral calculus
• Revived the ancient method of solving equations using matrices, invented a practical calculating machine and a pioneer in using the binary system