Nicolaus Bernoulli was born on in Basel. He was the son of Nicolaus Bernoulli, painter and Alderman of Basel. In 1704 he graduated from the
University of Basel under
Jakob Bernoulli and obtained his PhD five years later (in 1709) with a work on
probability theory in law. His thesis was titled
Dissertatio Inauguralis Mathematico-Juridica de Usu Artis Conjectandi in Jure. In 1716 he obtained the
Galileo-chair at the
University of Padua, where he worked on
differential equations and
geometry. In 1722 he returned to Switzerland and obtained a chair in
Logics at the
University of Basel. Nicolaus I Bernoulli was deeply influenced by his family, particularly his uncle
Jacob Bernoulli and his cousin
Daniel Bernoulli, both of whom were prominent mathematicians. Jacob Bernoulli, one of the early developers of calculus and a pioneer in the field of probability, had a significant impact on Nicolaus’s academic direction. Jacob’s work on the
Bernoulli numbers and the
Bernoulli theorem provided a strong foundation for Nicolaus’s own research in probability theory. He was elected a
Fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1714. Nicolaus I Bernoulli had a rich array of personal interests that extended beyond his mathematical pursuits. Influenced by his father, who was a painter, Nicolaus developed a keen appreciation for the arts. This artistic inclination was reflected in his meticulous and creative approach to problem-solving in mathematics. He enjoyed engaging in intellectual discussions and debates, often with his family members, which helped him refine his
analytical skills. Additionally, Nicolaus had a passion for teaching and mentoring, finding great satisfaction in guiding his students and witnessing their academic growth. His diverse interests and talents made him a well-rounded individual, contributing to his legacy as a distinguished mathematician and educator. His most important contributions can be found in his letters, in particular to
Pierre Rémond de Montmort. In these letters, he introduced in particular the
St. Petersburg Paradox. He also communicated with
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and
Leonhard Euler. Nicolaus I Bernoulli died on November 29, 1759, in Basel,
Switzerland. The exact cause of his death is not well-documented, but it is generally believed that he suffered from a prolonged illness, possibly tuberculosis. ==References==