Jean Leurechon

Astronomer mathematician priest scientist

1591 (age 79)

Bar-le-Duc, France

Leurechon taught theology, philosophy, and mathematics in the cloister of his order at Bar-le-Duc, Lorraine. Very little is known of his personal life. In his earlier years he wrote several tracts on astronomy and an inconsequential work on geometry. Leurechon is remembered today for his collection of mathematical recreations, some of which were published under other names. Issued at a time when interest in recreational mathematics was rapidly rising, this work obviously appealed to popular fancy, for it passed through some thirty editions before 1700. Based largely on the work of Bachet de Méziriac, it included, besides many original problems, some taken from Cardano. It served in turn as a foundation for the works of Mydorge, Ozanam, Montucla, and Charles Hutton. For the most part Leurecheon borrowed only Bacht’ s simpler and easier problems, completely bypassing the more significant sections. Leurechon taught mathematics from 1614 to 1629 at Pont-à-Mousson, and in 1631 became rector of the Collège Gilles de Trèves, a Jesuit school in Bar-le-Duc.

Jean Leurechon

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Astronomer mathematician priest scientist

Background

Leurechon was born c. 1591, in Bar-le-Duc, France. His father, also named Jean Leurechon, was a physician to the Duke of Lorraine.

Education

Leurechon was sent to be educated at the Jesuit university in Pont-à-Mousson but his father learnt of Leurechon's desire to take holy orders and wished him instead to become a physician, so he brought Leurechon back to Bar-le-Duc.

Career

Leurechon taught theology, philosophy, and mathematics in the cloister of his order at Bar-le-Duc, Lorraine. Very little is known of his personal life. In his earlier years he wrote several tracts on astronomy and an inconsequential work on geometry.

Leurechon is remembered today for his collection of mathematical recreations, some of which were published under other names. Issued at a time when interest in recreational mathematics was rapidly rising, this work obviously appealed to popular fancy, for it passed through some thirty editions before 1700. Based largely on the work of Bachet de Méziriac, it included, besides many original problems, some taken from Cardano. It served in turn as a foundation for the works of Mydorge, Ozanam, Montucla, and Charles Hutton. For the most part Leurecheon borrowed only Bacht’ s simpler and easier problems, completely bypassing the more significant sections.

Leurechon taught mathematics from 1614 to 1629 at Pont-à-Mousson, and in 1631 became rector of the Collège Gilles de Trèves, a Jesuit school in Bar-le-Duc.

Achievements

Leurechon is remembered chiefly for his collection of mathematical recreations, some of which were published under other names. He is also known for inventing the pigeonhole principle and naming the thermometer.

Works

$Select\u00E6 Propositiones in Tota Sparsim Mathematica Pulcherrim\u00E6 Select\u00E6 Propositiones in Tota Sparsim Mathematica Pulcherrim\u00E6$

book
- Selectæ Propositiones in Tota Sparsim Mathematica Pulcherrimæ 1622

Religion

Leurechon's position as rector of the Collège Gilles de Trèves, a Jesuit school in Bar-le-Duc, reconciled him with his parents, who willed their estate to the Jesuits. At Bar-le-Duc, he also took the confessions of Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine.

Connections

Nothing is known of Leurechon's family.

Father:: Jean Leurechon

References

Dictionary of Scientific Biography Volume 7
1973
Mémoires De La Société Des Lettres, Sciences Et Arts De Bar-le-duc Volumes 1-2, French Edition
1901

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book

Selectæ Propositiones in Tota Sparsim Mathematica Pulcherrimæ

Jean Leurechon

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Works

book

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Born

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Career

1614 - 1629

1631