Overview

Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier, in studying the conduction of heat in solid bodies, devised a way to analyze it using an infinite series of trigonometric terms. Similar mathematical problems arise in almost every branch of physics, and Fourier's methods have been applied in many fields of science and engineering.

Background

The French Revolution (1789-99) was a dangerous time to be an intellectual. Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768-1830) was the mathematically gifted son of a tailor. The idealistic young man had considered studying for the priesthood until he encountered the Revolution's promises of equality and the rights of man, with freedom from both the monarchy and the Church. But he was horrified by the Reign of Terror that followed and became embroiled in disputes between factions, barely escaping with his head.

He was, however, in the right place at the right time...