Jean-Victor Poncelet Mathematician and engineer Date of Birth: 01.07.1788 Country: France

Biography of Jean-Victor Poncelet

Jean-Victor Poncelet was a mathematician and engineer, known for his contributions to projective geometry and the study of material fatigue in the field of materials science. He was born on July 1, 1788, in the French city of Metz. Poncelet received his education at the Polytechnic School, graduating as a second lieutenant engineer.

In 1812, serving as a lieutenant, Poncelet participated in the reinforcement of the island of Walcheren and was sent with the army to Russia. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Krasnoe, captured, and taken to Saratov, where he remained until his return to France in 1814. During this time, he wrote seven notebooks, later published in 1862-1864 under the title "Applications d’Analyse et d e Géometrie".

Upon his return, Poncelet was appointed in Metz, where he took part in the defense of the city after the French defeat at Waterloo. From 1815 to 1820, he wrote the "Traité des propriétés projectives des figures". The second volume of this treatise was published in 1866, following the second edition of the first volume in 1864.

In his work "Traité des propriétés projectives des figures" and several articles published in the "Annales Math. Gergonne", Poncelet studied the properties of lines, circles, and conic sections, considering them as central or perspective projections of other figures of the same kind. He also explored the geometric properties of polygons inscribed in or circumscribed around conic sections. Poncelet's work covered the theory of reciprocal poles and polars, the theory of centers of similarity of figures, geometric properties of common tangents to two conic sections and touching figures, and more.

In addition to his contributions to geometry, Poncelet published articles in "Corresp. math. Quetelet" on theorems regarding curves of the third order, in "Mém. savans étrang." on series computation, and in "Nouv. ann. math." on a surface of the fourth order.

While pursuing pure mathematics, Poncelet continued his work as a military engineer. He conducted research on airflow in pipes, steam mechanics, hydraulic engines, and structures. Poncelet's books, "Introduction à la Mécanique industrielle, physique ou expérimentale" and "Cours de Mécanique appliquée aux machines," are considered classical works in applied mechanics due to their simplicity, clarity, and comprehensiveness.

In 1834, Poncelet was invited to the Paris Academy of Sciences and appointed to teach a course on applied mechanics at the Faculty of Sciences. He served as the director of the Polytechnic School from 1848 to 1850 and was a member of the National Assembly in 1848. Poncelet passed away on December 22, 1867, in Paris.

His name is included in the list of the greatest scientists of France, displayed on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.