Gabriel Cramer labored in the shadow of his more well-known mathematical contemporaries. Cramer added to mathematical knowledge in the areas of analysis, determinants, and geometry. Both Cramer's ruleand Cramer's paradox, discussed below, were not completely new ideas, but Cramer contributed significantly to both. Cramer also introduced the idea of utility to mathematics. Some of Cramer's most important work concerned the history of mathematics, as Cramer often served as the editor of other mathematicians' writings.

Cramer was born July 31, 1704, in Geneva, Switzerland, to physician Jean Isaac Cramer and his wife, Anne Mallet. Educated in Geneva, Cramer had two brothers. One, Jean-Antoine, also became a doctor; the other, Jean, was a law professor. All three brothers took an interest in local government and its inner workings. Cramer was a lifelong bachelor.

At the age of 18, Cramer defended his thesis with a topic about sound. At age 20, he was appointed co-chair...