One of the outstanding figures of 19th-century science, Julius Plücker is remembered for his seminal work in analytical geometry, and for his discoveries in physics. He is regarded as the co-discoverer of cathode rays (with his student, J. W. Hittorf), and he is credited with laying the foundation of spectroscopy.

Perfects Analytical Geometry

Plücker studied in Bonn, Heidelberg, and Paris, eventually securing a teaching position at the University of Bonn. A professor of mathematics from 1836 to 1847, he taught physics from 1847 until 1868. The early decades of the 19th century were an auspicious time for mathematicians, like Plücker, who directed their creative energy to geometry. Firstly, German mathematicians greatly benefitted from the foundation of Journal fur die reine und angewandte Mathematik ( Journal for Pure and Applied Mathematics) in 1826. Founded by August Leopold Crelle, an engineer, the journal, which strongly supported research in pure mathematics...