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Birth
Born in Nancy, France
Henri Poincaré with his sister Aline. LHSP—Archives Henri-Poincaré. UMR 7117 CNRS/Université de Lorraine -
Ecole Polytechnique
Attended the prestigious Ecole Polytechnique, an elite higher education institute in France, where he graduated second of his class with a Masters Degree in Mathematics.
Henri Poincaré in the uniform of the Polytechnique, about 1874. LHSP—Archives Henri-Poincaré. UMR 7117 CNRS/Université de Lorraine -
Tres Honorable
Won Grand Prix of Academic Sciences for the discovery of Automorphic Functions and Algebraic Groups -
The Three-Body System
The three-body system was celebrated as the starting point of the Chaos theory in relation to the investigation of dynamical science. It was used to try to decipher the quantum movement of Earth-Moon-Sun system. With Poincare’s contribution, it was concluded that a three-body system is not a possibility for the Earth-Moon-Sun system. -
The King’s Award
Awarded prize by the King of Sweden for the most important contribution of science: his work on the three-body system -
Knighthood
Poincare entered was made a knight of the French Légion d’Honneur. -
Science and Hypothsis
Published Science and Hypothesis. This work described how science has no absolute truth. Poincare beloved the scientist held on to beliefs because they are “conviene conventions rather than because they are more valid than the alternatives. This work inspired A.Einstein “Annus Mirabilis” paper which later lead to our current understanding of Space-Time. -
The Value of Science
Published the Value of Science. In depth conversation of topics discussed earlier in “Science and Hypothesis”. There are three main points: Mathematical Science dealt with intuition and logic, scientific convention should be based in experimentation not convenience and logic and intuition applications are inseparable from scientific advancement. -
Science and Method
Published Science and Method. Here Poincare describes that science shouldn’t just be used for practical application but also to critically think. A scientist must also act for science itself and not be guided by moral considerations. Lastly, facts studied by said scientist cannot be selected by whim but rather by the most general possible laws, only in this fashion will science evolve and be useful. -
Prostate infection and Death
Poincare became severely ill and under went surgery. He later died that same year.
Last known picture of Henri Poincare in 1908. LHSP—Archives Henri-Poincaré. UMR 7117 CNRS/Université de Lorraine