The publication of the Principia Mathematica by Isaac Newton prompted a young mathematician to carry torn pages of the text in his pockets, reading them while walking between private tutoring sessions in London. This diligent study enabled Abraham de Moivre to eventually master complex fluxions, marking the beginning of a scientific career that spanned probability theory, astronomy, and statistics.
Early Education and Exile
Born in 1667 in Vitry-le-François, France, Abraham de Moivre began his formal education at the Protestant Academy of Sedan before continuing his studies in logic at Saumur. Following the 1685 Edict of Fontainebleau, which suppressed Protestant worship and initiated state-mandated indoctrination, he sought refuge in England. He arrived in London by 1687, presenting himself as a Huguenot alongside his brother, Daniel Demoivre.
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Upon settling in London, de Moivre worked as a private tutor to support himself. His mathematical expertise earned him entry into prominent scientific circles, leading to friendships with Isaac Newton and Edmond Halley. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society on 30 November 1697. His research included the generalization of the binomial theorem into the multinomial theorem and the development of the closed-form expression for Fibonacci numbers, now recognized as Binet's formula.
Astronomy and Probability
Encouraged by Halley, de Moivre applied his analytical skills to astronomy, specifically investigating centripetal force and elliptical orbits. He is most noted for de Moivre's formula, which connects trigonometry and complex numbers. His work also established foundational concepts in probability theory, including early postulates for the central limit theorem and the production of his book, The Doctrine of Chances, a text frequented by those studying games of chance.
Professional Recognition and Final Years
Despite his scientific achievements, including his appointment in 1712 to a Royal Society commission tasked with reviewing the calculus dispute between Newton and Leibniz, de Moivre never secured a university chair. He remained a member of the French Academy of Sciences and the Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences throughout his later career. He died in London on 27 November 1754 and was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Fast facts
- Born: 1667, Vitry-le-François
- Died: 1754, London
- Education: Academy of Saumur, Academy of Sedan, collège d’Harcourt
- Notable work: de Moivre's formula
- Memberships: Royal Society, French Academy of Sciences, Royal Prussian Academy of Sciences
- Primary fields: Mathematics, astronomy, statistics
- Burial site: St Martin-in-the-Fields
Questions readers ask
What major mathematical theory did he help establish?
He was the first to postulate the central limit theorem, a fundamental principle within probability theory.
Why did he leave France?
He left due to the religious persecution of Protestants following the 1685 Edict of Fontainebleau.
Achievements
- Notable work: Q110499130
- Notable work: de Moivre's formula
- Educated at Academy of Saumur, Academy of Sedan and collège d’Harcourt
- Fields of research: astronomy, mathematics, probability theory and statistics
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