The Bernoulli Brothers

If it were to be determined that mathematical ability has a genetic component, the Bernoulli family would be exhibit A. What the Strauss family was to music, the Bernoulli family was to mathematics. It becomes difficult to keep track of which Bernoulli family member did what because they tended to recycle their first names. As unimaginative as this is, they were quite inventive when mathematics was involved. They are also renowned for not getting along with each other.

The patriarchal origins of this mathematical clan begin with the brothers Jacob and Johann. They were born into a family of spice merchants originally from Holland who moved to Switzerland to avoid religious persecution for their strong Calvinist affiliation.

Jacob (Jakob, James or Jacques) was expected to study theology and philosophy but resented this while finding himself intrigued with mathematics and astronomy. He contributed to the study of probability and held the chair of mathematics at the University of Bale, Switzerland.

Jacob's younger brother, Johann, entered the University of Bale at the age of 16 to study medicine. He asked his brother, Jacob, to teach him mathematics. Within two years, Johann was Jacob's equal. Soon an unfriendly, prideful rivalry broke out between the brothers.

Johann was a loyal follower of G.W. Leibniz. Due the Calculus Wars between Leibniz and Isaac Newton, Johann devised the brachistochrone problem; in 1696 which was intended to show Newton to be inferior to Leibniz. Newton received the problem January 29, 1697. He solved the problem in a single evening after a full day of work at the British Mint.

Nicolaus I Bernoulli, son of Jacob, graduated from University of Basel in 1704 and achieved his PhD five years later. He is noted for work in probability theory. He also introduced the St. Petersburg Paradox (economics, probability, lottery game theory).

Nicolaus II Bernoulli son of Johann, worked on curves, differential equations and probability.

Daniel Bernoulli, younger brother of Nicolaus II, is noted for work in fluid mechanics, probability and statistics.

Johann II Bernoulli, the youngest son of Johann I, is noted for winning the Prize of the Paris Academy four times.

Johann III Bernoulli, son of Johann II, graduated at the age of 14 with a Master of Law degree. He is noted for publishing the Leipzig Journal for Pure and Applied Mathematics between 1776 and 1789. He also did work in astronomy.

Jacob II Bernoulli, younger brother of Johann III, obtained a position at the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. He married a granddaughter of Leonhard Euler in St. Petersburg. He worked on elasticity, hydrostatics and ballistics. At the age of 29 years, Jacob II drowned while swimming in the Neva River near St. Petersburg.