Although Alexandre Théophile Vandermonde's work in mathematics was limited to only two years, he is still remembered for producing such advances as the Vandermonde determinant. Most scientific historians consider Vandermonde to be the founder of the theory of determinants. He also made progress toward solving the classic "knight's tour problem."

Vandermonde was born in Paris, France on February 28, 1735, the son of a physician. Because he was a sickly child, Vandermonde's physician father encouraged the obviously bright boy to study music, which he believed would be less strenuous than other academic pursuits. Vandermonde went along with this plan, since he loved music, for all of his childhood and well into his adult life. However, when he met and became friends with a respected mathematician named Fontaine at age 35, Vandermonde eagerly turned to the study of mathematics.

Thus, in about 1770, Vandermonde discovered a new talent. In fact, he...