Bernoulli family facts for kids

The Bernoulli family from Basel, Switzerland, was a very important family. They were known for many brilliant thinkers. Eight members of this family were especially gifted in mathematics and physics. They made huge contributions to these fields during a time called the early modern period. Their work helped shape much of the science we know today.

History of the Bernoulli Family

The Bernoulli family originally came from Antwerp, which is now in Belgium. A part of the family moved to Basel, Switzerland, in 1620.

The first known member was Leon Bernoulli, a doctor in Antwerp. His son, Jacob, moved to Frankfurt am Main in 1570. He did this to escape from the Spanish who were persecuting Protestant people at that time. Jacob's grandson, also named Jacob, was a spice trader. He moved to Basel in 1620 and became a citizen there in 1622. His son, Niklaus (1623–1708), married Margarethe Schönauer.

Famous Scientists in the Family

Niklaus had four sons. Two of them, Johann and Hieronymus, started the main family lines. The four sons of Niklaus were:

• Jacob Bernoulli (1654–1705): A famous mathematician. The "Bernoulli numbers" are named after him. He also wrote an important book about probability called Ars Conjectandi.
• Nicolaus Bernoulli (1662–1716): He was a painter and a city official in Basel.
• Johann Bernoulli (1667–1748): Another great mathematician. He was one of the first to use infinitesimal calculus, which is a type of advanced math used to study change.
• Hieronymus Bernoulli (1669–1760): He married Catharina Ebneter.

Besides Jacob and Johann, other important mathematicians from the Bernoulli family include:

• Nicolaus I Bernoulli (1687–1759): Son of Nicolaus. He was a mathematician who worked on curves, differential equations (math that describes how things change), and probability. He also came up with the famous St. Petersburg paradox.
• Nicolaus II Bernoulli (1695–1726): Son of Johann.
• Daniel Bernoulli (1700–1782): Son of Johann. He developed Bernoulli's principle, which explains how fluids (like air or water) behave. This principle is very important in understanding how airplanes fly. He also came up with the idea of "expected utility" to help solve the St. Petersburg paradox.
• Johann II Bernoulli (1710–1790): Son of Johann. He was a mathematician and physicist.
• Johann III Bernoulli (1744–1807): Son of Johann II. He was an astronomer, geographer, and mathematician.
• Jacob II Bernoulli (1759–1789): Son of Johann II. He was a physicist and mathematician.

The Bernoulli surname still exists in Switzerland today.

Things Named After the Bernoulli Family

Many important ideas and concepts in math and science are named after members of the Bernoulli family. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: Familia Bernoulli para niños