ton's law of gravitation had all been in use for less than a century. Much of Euler's work consisted of mounting "a systematic attack . . . against the whole of mathematics, pure and applied, as it then existed" (140). Especially in the fields of geometry and mathematical physics, Euler elaborated on these relatively new methods of analysis. In exploiting what had been done, he prepared the way for much of what was to come.
Euler was born in Basel, Switzerland and entered the university there at the age of 13. By the time he was 16, he had received his master's degree in philosophy. Euler's father, a minister, had originally intended that Leonhard follow him in his profession. But his father enjoyed mathematics and had even attended the lectures of Jakob Bernoulli, one of a family of outstanding mathematicians, at the University of Basel. Therefore, when Euler wanted to pursue the study of mathematics, his father was convinced by the promise of Johannes Bernoulli (who had succeeded his brother) that Leonhard was destined to become an important mathematician.
Switzerland offered few opportunities for professional mathematicians. In 1727, therefore, Euler joined Daniel Bernoulli (Johannes' son) at the St.
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