For a mathematician, Joseph Fourier (1768-1830) led a rather eventful life. He turned 21 in 1789 — l’année cruciale of the French Revolution, and the beginning of the most turbulent era of French history. He soon got involved in politics, and had a hard time staying out of trouble with the various factions of the Revolution. He was arrested on 4 July 1794, then freed, and then rearrested on 17 July. Fourier spent a nervous ten days in jail and was saved from probable execution only by the fall of Robespierre himself on 27 July and his execution on the following day. Fourier was arrested again on 7 June 1795 for his past involvement in the Revolution, but was released from jail after a royalist scare shifted prevailing sentiment leftwards again. He taught for awhile, and then in March 1798 received a letter from the Minister of the Interior that would change his life forever. Citoyen , the letter began, using the address that had replaced Monsieur by decree of the Convention in 1792. Citizen, Read More...