On 24th September 1501, Girolamo Cardano, a Renaissance polymath whose impact resonated across multiple fields, including mathematics, medicine, philosophy, and astrology was born.
Born in Pavia, Cardano’s life was marked by brilliance, curiosity, and controversy. His most lasting legacy is his contribution to mathematics, particularly in algebra, where his innovations continue to influence modern theory.
Cardano’s groundbreaking work Ars Magna (The Great Art), published in 1545, contains the first comprehensive solutions to cubic and quartic equations. This achievement was revolutionary, as solving such equations had long baffled mathematicians. His publication of these solutions made him one of the pioneers in algebraic theory.
Despite the significance of Ars Magna, the path to publishing was fraught with tension. In his 1545 book *Ars Magna*, a foundational work in algebra, Girolamo Cardano published the solution to the cubic equation, which had been discovered by Scipione del Ferro, and the solution to the quartic equation, developed by his student Lodovico Ferrari.
One specific case of the cubic equation, \( ax^3 + bx + c = 0 \), had been shared with Cardano in 1539 by Niccolò Fontana Tartaglia in the form of a poem. Tartaglia later accused Cardano of breaking a promise to keep the solution secret, sparking a decade-long dispute. However, del Ferro’s discovery of the solution predated Tartaglia’s.
Renowned physician
In addition to mathematics, Cardano was a renowned physician. His medical practice gained him international fame, and he treated some of the most notable figures of his time, including Archbishop John Hamilton of Scotland. His medical knowledge was so advanced that he wrote more than 200 works on the subject, some of which contributed to the early development of modern medical thought. He was also one of the first to describe typhus fever.
Tragedy and Scandal
Despite his brilliance, Cardano’s life was marked by personal tragedy and scandal. His son, Giambattista, was executed for poisoning his wife, a crime that brought great shame to the family.
Cardano himself was arrested in 1570 on charges of heresy, partly due to his astrological predictions and unorthodox beliefs. Although he was eventually released, his career never fully recovered.
Cardano’s works also ventured into philosophy, astrology, and even mechanics, where he introduced the concept of the Cardan shaft, an important development in engineering. His breadth of knowledge and wide-ranging interests made him one of the most intriguing figures of the Renaissance.
He relocated to Rome, where he was granted a lifetime annuity by Pope Gregory XIII, following an earlier rejection by Pope Pius V, who passed away in 1572. In Rome, Cardano completed his autobiography and was admitted to the Royal College of Physicians. Alongside his medical practice, he pursued his philosophical studies until his death in 1576.
Recommended Book
First published in 1545, this cornerstone in the history of mathematics contains the first revelation of the principles for solving cubic and biquadratic equations.
T. Richard Witmer’s excellent translation from the Latin, adapted to modern mathematical syntax, will appeal to both mathematicians and historians. Foreword by Oystein Ore.
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