Leonhard Euler (pronounced "OIL-er"), born on April 15, 1707, was a Swiss mathematician, physicist, and engineer who made significant contributions to several areas of mathematics. Known for his prolificacy in many areas of human knowledge, Euler is often regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. His notable works include the bridge between calculus and analytic geometry, his study on the properties of mathematical functions (including Euler's totient function), and his development of Euler's identity, which is considered one of the most beautiful equations in mathematics: e^(iπ) + 1 = 0. Euler also made significant strides in number theory, infinitesimal calculus, graph theory, geometry, fluid dynamics, optics, and statistics. His collected works fill over 80 volumes and his influence on mathematical notation is still evident today, with the use of many symbols he introduced or popularized, such as the Greek letter Σ for summation. Euler spent much of his career in Russia, serving under Catherine the Great at the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. Despite losing his eyesight later in life due to glaucoma, Euler continued to contribute significantly to mathematics until his death on September 18, 1783. His legacy continues to inspire mathematicians worldwide, and he remains an iconic figure in the world of mathematics.
The name Euler had five newborns in 2022 alone, making it a total of five recorded instances since its introduction.