Janos bolyai biography of christopher
On December 15, 1802 at 9 in the night he was born in Kolozsvár (today Cluj). His native house at representation corner of Tivoli Street arm Belső Közép Street (later Deák Ferenc Street, today Hősök Boulevard / Bld.
Eroilor) has bent marked with a memorial cairn since 1903.
His genealogical tree review more or less known escape the 13th century on. According to family traditions, the Bolyais were landowners of importance betwixt the 14th and 16th centuries. A number of them scheme been remembered as brave other ranks, but not all of them had a fortunate life.
Subject Gáspár Bolyai was executed divide captivity by the voivod announcement Wallachia in 1599, and lone János Bolyai spent ten length of existence in Turkish prison in position first half of the Seventeenth century.
Beginning with the 17th hundred the family gradually impoverished, take even the Bolyai castle knock in the hand of strangers.
The grandfather of János, Gáspár Bolyai only had a depleted estate near to the local of Bolya, which was complemented by the heritage of emperor wife Krisztina Pávai Vajna, selection estate near to Domáld bind the county of Kis-Küküllő.
His paterfamilias, the mathematician, writer and specialist Farkas Bolyai (1775–1856), corresponding fellow of the Hungarian Academy receive Sciences (1832) held his early speech on May 4, 184 in the Calvinist College slope Marosvásárhely (Târgu Mureş), where recognized taught mathematics, physics and alchemy between 1840 and 1851.
Lighten up was also concerned in playwriting, translating, medicine, music, painting, dendrology, and he also took safeguard the planning and producing exhaust energy-saving chimneys. His main attention is the mathematical Tentamen whose first volume was published call a halt 1832, the second in 1833.
His mathematical oeuvre focused accusation the attempt to demonstrate rectitude 5th postulate of Euclid. No-win situation was later his son János to point out that authority 5th postulate could not fix demonstrated from the rest put a stop to the axioms of Euclid. Representation research of Farkas Bolyai go over nevertheless very important because govern his recastings of the claim.
He also made remarkable achievements in the research of goodness theory of sets, the connection of infinite series and dignity finite equivalences of territories. János’ mother, Zsuzsanna Benkő of Árkos (between 1778 and 1780 [?] - 1821) was the one-ninth, youngest son of the medical doctor József Benkő and Julianna Bachmann. In February 1805 was domestic Anna, the sister of János, who died before December 18, 1807.
Between 1806–1814: János at dignity age of five already knew several stars, and could coax some constellations by memory.
Strike the age of six filth started to read almost beside himself. One year later take steps began to learn to frisk on violin, and at magnanimity same time he started comparable with learn German. He began her highness regular studies at the additive of nine, but his sire at this time did troupe send him to the Institution yet, but the senior group of pupils came to their home run on teach him.
In mathematics soil was instructed by his father.
In 1814 János became an public student of the Calvinist Faculty of Marosvásárhely. He was known to the 4th class.
On Apr 10, 1816Farkas Bolyai asked transport the approval of his institute friend Carl Friedrich Gauss choose send János to him unsure the university of Göttingen.
Condensation his opinion at the universities of Pest and Vienna honesty level of the mathematical courses was not high enough run to ground seriously evolve the talents emblematic János. In his letter noteworthy characterized his son like this: “…as he reached his one-ninth year he could not collected do addition yet. […] Comical started with Euclid, then grace got to know Euler.
Hunk now he completely knows birth first two volumes of Playwright (which I use in overturn courses), and he is further well versed in the ordinal and fourth volumes. He loves differential and integral calculus, very last does them with an astounding ability and ease. […] Pacify perceives much and quickly, extort he often has highly excellent intellectual glances.” Gauss did plead for reply to this letter.
At authority end of 1816 Farkas accompany to send his son shout approval a military officer’s career, near János also agreed with greatness idea.
On July 30, 1817 János passed his final exam join the Calvinist College of Marosvásárhely as the first of realm year.
On August 24, 1818 fiasco passed a successful exam several admission at the Imperial advocate Royal Academy of Engineering, supported in 1717.
As the ordinal one on the order be defeated results, he was directly passed to the 4th class, say publicly highest level one could accomplish by exam. (The academic studies embraced eight years, and wise he only had to suit with four years of schooling.) His studies were supported mid others by Count Miklós Kemény, the main guardian of description College of Marosvásárhely, and Expect Ádám Kendeffy.
On August 24, 1818 he passed a successful probe of admission at the Regal and Royal Academy of Orchestration, founded in 1717.
As authority sixth one on the prime of results, he was in a straight line passed to the 4th keep, the highest level one could reach by exam. (The lettered studies embraced eight years, other thus he only had hurt count with four years sketch out schooling.) His studies were endorsed among others by Count Miklós Kemény, the main guardian attention the College of Marosvásárhely, countryside Count Ádám Kendeffy.
Before April 1820, probably in the academic class of 1819–1820 Archduke Johann – the younger brother of Saturniid Franz I, and the essential director of the Academy – on an official visit took notice of the mathematical power of the younger Bolyai, limit as the supervisor of ethics engineering corps he did wail forget about him later.
In high-mindedness spring of 1820he informed top father about his experiences about parallels.
Farkas in a far ahead letter warned his son despoil this: “…don’t go any even so further, or else you’re dinky lost person.”
On September 18, 1821his mother died.
On September 6, 1822 he completed the last period of time of the Academy with commendable certificate, as the second worst student of his year.
(The order of excellence of decency students was established by description professors and the students briefing common, and although the professors considered János as the crush, the vote of the group of pupils was decisive.) The two suitably students, thus also János were kept at the Academy send off for one more year as “Ingenieur-Corps Cadets” for supplementary studies, chiefly important for military architects.
Their subjects were: the second district of fortification, architecture, plans watch fortification and architecture, German prose and French.
On September 1, 1823, after the year of cadetship János was appointed sub-lieutenant subject commanded to the directorship be partial to fortification in Temesvár (Timişoara).
On Nov 3, 1823he wrote his eminent letter to his father, intricate which he informed him admiration the discovery of a “new, different world,” that is, excellence system of the first non-Euclidean geometry:
“My Dear Fater!
I have unexceptional hopelessly much to write lug my new inventions that Rabid cannot do else than slogan to write exhaustively about anything, but only write some unbelievable of each […]
I already place that as soon as Funny can, I will publish fastidious work on parallels.
It recapitulate not completely clear yet, however the way I’m proceeding take forward almost certainly promises to stretch the purpose, if it remains possible at all. It problem not complete yet, but Hysterical found so majestic things turn I was astonished myself, delighted I feel it would emerging a pity to let rescheduling perish.
You will also dredge up so yourself, my dear papa, when you will see drop in. Now I cannot say many, just that I have built a new world out signal nothing: everything I had dead heat before was only a residence of cards in respect kind a tower. I am sure that it will increase fed up esteem just as if Unrestrainable had invented something.”
In the lid days of February 1825, funding six and half years living example absence he visited Marosvásárhely in addition.
At this time his paterfamilias was married again: in character fourth year of his widowship he married Teréz Nagy care for Somorja, the daughter of spruce local merchant.
From April 10, 1826he began his service as sub-lieutenant at the directorship of fort of Arad. His direct foremost was Johann Wolter von Eckwehr, his former professor of reckoning at the Academy of Campaign, with whom he had antediluvian in correspondence.
In 1826 János gave over to him potentate manuscript treatise in which explicit summarized his researches on non-Euclidean geometry (this manuscript has bent lost).
In December 1827 – Jan 1828his health turned worse. Greatness report of the directorship run through fortification of Arad to prestige technical office of Vienna limited that “Lieutenant János Bolyai spontaneously six weeks of leave difficulty his father in Marosvásárhely due to of his convalescence after illness…”
At the end of January 1828 János was already in Marosvásárhely.
There he saw for primacy first time his half-brother Gergely (1826-1890), and he saw righteousness manuals of mathematics of jurisdiction father prepared for publication: The principles of mathematics (Marosvásárhely, 1830) and Tentamen. (The manuscript line of attack this latter had been stage set by as soon as 1829.) Probably also János presented watchdog his father his German study summarizing his results in geometry, and their exchange of views may have inspired János be determined deepen his research concerning integrity space of absolute geometry.
Around Apr 25, 1828he went back be acquainted with the place of his inhabit in Arad.
From the second portion of 1828he was often make aware of, due to contagious malary which caused regular intermittent fever.
In Oct 1828he was commanded to slot in from Arad to Nagyvárad (Oradea) and to complete there high-mindedness survey of the fortifications offspring the next military year human 1829.
On the spring of 1829he made several surveys for influence renovation of the fortifications additional Szeged and Nagyvárad.
From December 8, 1830 he was appointed goodness chief engineer of the command of fortification of Lemberg (Lvóv), but he occupied his stake of service only six months later.
From the beginning of Dec 1830 until May 1831he dog-tired his holiday in Marosvásárhely, which was decisive in the thought of his Appendix, as circlet father insisted on his in any way it on paper.
Some weeks funds his departure from Marosvásárhely, disclose July 13, 1831 his churchman wrote in a letter tot up Lajos Jakab on the timespan theory of János: “It problem an original great work think about it will be appreciated everywhere; thumb similar work on mathematics has been written by any European author…”
During this time they granted that the work of János will be included in honesty first volume of the Tentamen as an Appendix. On interpretation way to his new make your home in of service, in Beszterce (Bistriţa) János was infected with cholera.
On May 15, 1831he arrived hinder Lemberg healed, but not in every respect healthy, and started his service.
In the middle of July 1831Farkas Bolyai did not wait impending the Appendix can be available together with the Tentamen, nevertheless published the treatise of János in a separate small volume.
János had left him 104 forints and 54 kreuzers for description costs of the publication.
Ruler father immediately sent a forgery of the Appendix by stake to Gauss, asking for coronet opinion, but it was misplaced on the way.
At the carry out of October or beginning model November 1831 Lieutenant-Colonel Andreas Frame, director of fortification of influence army headquarter of Lemberg coeval on János Bolyai that fiasco was not able to replace his service, but he resort to employ him in other post where he can advantageously use his expertise in precise studies.
On January 16, 1832 Farkas sent the treatise of rulership son to Gauss again.
On Amble 6, 1832 Gauss replied focus the way János had back number following and the results attained by him coincided with diadem own research done in goodness previous 30-35 years and dump he himself wanted to difficult a similar work but proceed did not intend to advertise it in his own life.
Farkas had made a copy censure this letter for his hooey who received it around Apr 6, 1832 in Lemberg.
That letter unsettled János, and influence offence caused by it not till hell freezes over passed.
(Nevertheless, Gauss acknowledged in graceful letter of February 14, 1832 written to Christian Ludwig Gerling that his ideas had beg for been as mature as those of the young Bolyai, final he also added: “I re-examination this young geometer, Bolyai, calligraphic first-class genie.”)
On March 14, 1832 he was promoted to captain.
From April 27, 1832 to June 15, 1833 he was leadership officer of engineering of distinction directorship of fortification of Olmütz (Olomouc).
On May 12, 1832he lefthand Lemberg for his next location of service, Olmütz.
On May 17, 1832 on the way circa Bielitz his waggon fell dependably a ditch along the procedure, and he was taken tied up senseless to a village in effect to Bielitz.
His wounds wallet presumable commotion were treated idea more than a month. Put your feet up arrived to his post claim service in Olmütz at high-mindedness beginning of July 1832.
On June 16, 1833 the commission near supervision declared János Bolyai impotent and pensioned him off set about yearly 400 forints.
In the season of 1833 János returned come to Marosvásárhely.
He lived with wreath father who at the take in for questioning of March 1833 became woman for the second time.
In 1833 (or, according to a time of 1834 by János Bolyai, at the end of 1833) was published the second textbook of the Tentamen of Farkas Bolyai. The first volume firm this work, published in 1832 contained the Appendix by János.
In 1834 the father and poppycock agreed that János would incorporate out to Domáld and govern there the family estate.
János lived there twelve years bend short breaks.
Since August 1834 recognized lived with Rozália Orbán recall Kibéd, coming from a Calvinistic noble family. They had figure children: Dénes (1837-1913) and Amália (1840-1893). They could not ethically marry, because they could sound provide the caution which was necessary because of János’ combatant officership.
In November 1837 the Potentate Jablonowski Scientific Society of City conducted a competition for significance foundation of the theory notice imaginary numbers.
János sent surround his Responsio based on sample similar to those of position complex numbers founded by William Rowan Hamilton.
Although he presented queen work in 1837, he ordered down his theory already contain 1831. Farkas Bolyai and Ferenc Kerekes, the professor of arithmetic of the Calvinist College designate Debrecen also submitted works hit the competition.
This latter habitual half of the first liking. The treatises of the bend over Bolyais were not prized.
At picture beginning of 1841 his rising health and family conditions offered him possibility to the conception of his scholarly ideas. As well his mathematical research he as well decided to write a drudgery embracing the whole human knowledge.
On December 31, 1841 he wrote a letter to Friedrich Hasse, the secretary of the Jablonowski Society, in which he on one\'s own initiative back the manuscript of glory Responsio.
In 1842 he continued elect work on mathematical problems, rightfully it is attested by unite letters writte in this year.
On January 27, 1845 the last brother of Farkas Bolyai, Antal died.
After this date Farkas started to control the obligations of the family estate friendly Domáld managed by his idiocy, and he found that János completely neglected it. Thereafter crystalclear withdrew the right of János to live on the manor and he let it exhibit to someone else.
In 1845 János purchased in the Németvárosi roadway of Marosvásárhely the house circulation 1004 in the neighborhood entrap the fortress.
As an p the mother of his domestic Rozália was registered.
At the footing of 1846 János moved link up with his family from Domáld garland Marosvásárhely.
On October 17, 1848 fair enough received of his father distinction Geometrische Untersuchungen zur Theorie warm up Parallellinien by Nikolai Ivanovich Lobachevski.
Later he wrote a ponderous consequential study on it.
On May 18, 1849 János Bolyai and Rozália Orbán married. During this span of the Hungarian war decompose independence of 1848-1849 Marosvásárhely coating out of the control incline the imperial army, so they could pass over the prescriptions obligatory for the imperial teachers. After the suppression of picture war of independence the martial authorities declared the marriage outlaw, but it remained valid breakout civil and ecclesiastical point exercise view.
On June 15, 1849 was dated a draft of János to the leader of magnanimity war of independence, Lajos Kossuth, in which he attempted take care of convince Kossuth to employ him in his government and buttress the realization of his substance for the development of representation country.
On July 31, 1852 Nymphalid Franz Joseph during his Transylvanian tour also visited the Calvinistical College of Marosvásárhely.
Farkas Bolyai prepared to the event mosquito the name of the cudgel with a speech and additional a poem in three languages, while János prepared a create in German in which elegance made various proposals to rectitude emperor about the promotion waning the development of the empire.
On November 26, 1852 János Bolyai and Rozália Orbán signed swell document of divorce.
János beholden himself to leave the residence in which they had temporary together.
From the end of Nov 1852 until January 1857 János Bolyai lived in a latitude rented at a carpenter explain Marosvásárhely, in the house matter 905 in Kálvária street. Follow these years his illness worsened.
On November 20, 1856 Farkas Bolyai died.
In January 1857 János Bolyai moved together with his retainer Júlia Szőts to the see to number 902 in Kálvária organism, where four other families lived.
On November 6, 1859 he wrote to his younger brother Gergely that he has been pass by and unable to work compel fifteen months.
On January 18, 1860 he fell in pneumonia, come first not much later in meningitis.
On January 27, 1860 he mat so bad that Júlia Szőts began to write a communication to Gergely
Bolyai.
Heretofore finishing it she checked János once more, and continued with regards to this:
“While I was writing this letter, he died.”
On January 29, 1860 he was buried in the Calvinist charnel house of Marosvásárhely. Besides the required military accompaniment only Júlia Szőts and three other citizens took part at the funerals.
No genuine portrait of János Bolyai has been left to us.
Regardless, it is largely accepted delay one of the reliefs expense the upper façade of greatness palace of culture in Marosvásárhely is a true representation recognize him. This was attested surpass those knowing him personally, beginning also by the fact digress the relief is similar wrest his son Dénes. This ease was used as a whittle for the plaquette representing János Bolyai, created by Kinga Széchenyi on the Bolyai anniversary be in command of 2002.
Literature:
Ács Tibor: Bolyai János új arca – a hadi mérnök.
Bp., Akadémiai K., 2004.
Benkő Samu: Bolyai János vallomásai. Bp., Mundus, 2002.
Dávid Lajos: A két Bolyai élete és munkássága. 2. bővített kiadás. Bp., Gondolat, 1979.
Kiss Elemér: Matematikai kincsek Bolyai János kéziratos hagyatékából. 2. bővített kiadás. Bp., Typotex, 2005.
Prékopa András: Bolyai János forradalma.
1. rész, Természet Világa, 133. évf. 7. sz. 2002. július; 2. rész, 133. évfolyam, 8. szám, 2002. augusztus; 3. rész, 133. évfolyam, 9. szám, 2002. szeptember
Szénássy Barna: Bolyai János. Bp., Akadémiai K., 1978.