Previous (Chronologically) Next Biographies Index Previous ( Alphabetically) Next Welcome page
Minkowski developed a new view of space and time and laid the mathematical foundation of the theory of relativity.
Minkowski studied at the Universities of Berlin and Königsberg. He received his doctorate in 1885 from Königsberg. He taught at several universities before accepting a chair in 1902 at the University of Göttingen, where he stayed for the rest of his life. He died suddenly from a ruptured appendix at the age of 44.
Minkowski considered space and time, which were formerly thought to be independent, to be coupled together in a four-dimensional 'space-time continuum'. This concept provided a framework for all later mathematical work in relativity. These ideas were used by Albert Einstein in developing the general theory of relativity. His major works in this area are Raum und Zeit (1907) and Zwei Abhand lungen über die Grundgleichungen der Elektrodynamik (1909).
Minkowski was also interested in investigating quadratic forms. His most original achievement, however, was his 'geometry of numbers'. This study led on to work on convex bodies and to questions about packing problems, the ways in which figures of a given shape can be placed within another given figure.
References elsewhere in this archive:
Tell me about Minkowski's work on special relativity
References:
Previous (Chronologically) Next Biographies Index Previous ( Alphabetically) Next Welcome page History Topics Index Famous curves index Chronologies Birthplace Map Mathematicians of the day Anniversaries for the year Search Form Simple Search Form Search Suggestions