Gauss (Schweikart and Taurinus) and Gauss’s Differential Geometry

Abstract

Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777–1855) is one of the few truly brilliant mathematicians to deserve the label “genius”.¹ In later life his mother and he used to like to say that he taught himself to read with little instruction beyond learning the individual letters and that he had more or less taught himself arithmetic. These stories have some plausibility, because as an adult Gauss learned several languages, including English and Russian, and was a phenomenal calculator. His prodigious gifts as a child brought him to the attention of Martin Bartels, himself a good mathematician, and through him to the Duke of Brunswick, who was happy to sponsor the child’s education at the impressive local Collegium Carolinum. He amply repaid them for their support, and all his life was ever the loyal subject.