Painlevé

Paul Painlevé

Born: 5 Dec 1863 in Paris, France
Died: 29 Oct 1933 in Paris, France

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Painlevé received a doctorate in mathematics from Paris in 1887, then taught at Lille and the École Polytechnique in Paris. He worked on differential equations and mechanics. He solved, using Painlevé functions, differential equations which Poincaré and Emile Picard had failed to solve.

Painlevé took a special interest in aviation, applying his theoretical skills to study the theory of flight. He was Wilbur Wright's first passenger making a record 1 hour 10 minute flight, then the following year 1909 he created the first university course in aeronautical mechanics.

Although less skilled in politics than mathematics he began a political career in 1906 which led to two periods as French Prime Minister.

References:

  1. Dictionary of Scientific Biography
  2. Biography in Encyclopaedia Britannica
  3. Paroles et écrits de Paul Painlevé (Paris, 1936). 
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