William Chauvenet
William Chauvenet ( born May 24, 1820 Milford, Pennsylvania, † December 13, 1870 in St. Paul, Minnesota ) was an American mathematician and astronomer. In his honor, is awarded annually by the Mathematical Association of America, the Chauvenet Prize, the highest U.S. award for explanatory view of mathematical knowledge.
Biography and Education
William Chauvenet was born in 1820, the son of Mary and William Kerr Marc Chauvenet. His father ran initially agriculture, but later worked as a businessman. Since the family was quite wealthy, William Chauvenet was able to attend a private school in Philadelphia. William Chauvenet impressed early on by his mathematical skills and the headmaster of the private school was so impressed with his skills that he suggesting William's father to send him to Yale University. In 1840 he received his university degree there with distinction.
Shortly after he had left the university, he became an assistant to Alexander D. Bache at Girard College in Philadelphia. He supported Bache in studies on magnetism and meteorology. It evolved from a lasting friendship. At this time Chauvenet came by Sears C. Walker also in contact with astronomy. Walker taught at this time the astronomical observatory at the High School in Philadelphia one.
In 1841 he was appointed professor of mathematics in the Navy. First he was for a short time instructor on the steamer USS Mississippi, but what it did not satisfy. A few months later he moved to the 1842 Philadelphia Naval School in Philadelphia, where he established an eight-month training for naval officers.
In 1842 he married Catherine Hemple. Together they had five children: a daughter and four sons.
Scientific work
Beginning in 1842 Chauvenet was instrumental in the development and establishment of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Previously, most of the training of naval officers took place at sea, now far greater emphasis was placed on a comprehensive academic education. Until 1853 he served in the Naval Academy as a professor of mathematics, then he took over the training in astronomy, navigation and surveying. During his time in the Naval Academy twice professorships at Yale University he was offered, first in mathematics, astronomy and natural philosophy later - he refused both offers.
In 1859 Chauvenet accepted the offer of a professorship of mathematics at the 1853 gegründetem Washington University in St. Louis. In 1862 he was appointed second Chancellor of this University. This position he held until 1869 for health reasons went into retirement.
In addition to its influence on the training of naval officers and his important contributions to the development of mathematics in the United States Chauvenet is known primarily for he has written textbooks in the field of mathematics and astronomy. These include:
- Spherical astronomy (1863 )
- Theory and use of astronomical instruments: Method of least squares (1863 )
- A treatise of elementary geometry (1870 ).