David Hilbert was a renowned German mathematician born in 1862 in Konigsberg, Prussia. He received his doctorate in mathematics from the University of Konigsberg in 1885 and went on to teach at the universities of Konigsberg and Gottingen. Hilbert made seminal contributions to geometry, logic, number theory, and mathematical physics. In 1900, he introduced a list of 23 unsolved problems that helped guide mathematicians' research for decades. Hilbert continued his research until forced to retire in 1930 under Nazi rule. He sadly witnessed the purging of Jewish professors from Gottingen University and passed away in 1943.

1. David Hilbert
An
Extraordinary
Mathematician
By Michelle Reich

2. Vital Statistics
 Birth: January 23, 1862 in
Konigsberg, Prussia (now part
of Russia)
 Death: February
14, 1943, (age 81)
Gottingen, Germany, after a
long illness and depression
 Lived in Konigsberg until age
33, then moved to Gottingen
 Parents: Otto and Maria
Therese Hilbert

3. Early Life
 Grew up in Konigsberg with his parents
and younger sister, Elise
 Father was a judge
 Shared mother’s interest in philosophy
and numbers
 At age 10 entered Friedrichskolleg
Gymnasium

4. Adult Life
 Received doctorate in
Mathematics at the
University of Konigsberg in
1885
 Taught mathematics at the
University of Konigsberg
from 1886-1895, then at the
Great University of
Gottingen 1895-1930
 Married his second cousin
Kathe Jerosch in 1892
 Had one son, Franz, in 1893.

5. Credits and Achievements
 His work was an important part of
mathematics including;
geometry, logic, number theory, and
mathematical physics.
 Introduced his influential list of 23 unsolved
problems at the International Congress of
Mathematicians in Paris in 1900.
 Mathematicians are still working on
solving some of these problems to this
day. The most important one being the
Riemann hypothesis.

6. More Credits and
Achievements
 In 1905 was awarded the Wolfgang Bolyai
Prize. Recognized as being one of the
world’s greatest mathematicians.
 Became a member of the Royal Society
of London.
 Was made and honorary citizen of
Konigsberg in 1930

7. Other Subjects
 Insulted physicists when he said: “Physics is
much too difficult for physicists.”
 Wanted to “axiomatize” physics or create
laws that were accepted as truth in
physics.
 Also studied kinetic gas theory, radiation
and molecular theory of matter.

8. Miscellaneous
 Retired from the University of
Gottingen in 1930 (age 68).
 Watched in sadness as the Nazis
purged Jewish professors, many
whom were friends and
collaborators, from the university in
1933
 When asked by the minister of
education: “How are the
mathematics in Gottingen now that
it has been freed of the Jewish
influence?” Hilbert replied:
“Mathematics in Gottingen? There is
really none anymore.”

9. Timeline
 1862 Birth on January 23 in Konigsberg
 1872 Entered Friedrichskolleg Gymnasium
 1885 Received Doctorate from University
of Konigsberg. Visited Europe to meet and
learn from famous mathematicians
 1886-1895 Professor of mathematics at
University of Konigsberg

10. Timeline (Continued)
 1890 Developed proof of theorem of
invariants which made modern algebraic
geometry possible
 1892 Married Kathe Jarosch
 1893 Son Franz was born
 1897 Developed algebraic number theory
 1897 Moved to Gottingen to teach at the
university

11. Timeline (Continued)
 1900 Presented his famous paper of 23
unsolved research problems at the
International Mathematical Congress in
Paris
 1905 Received the Bolyai Prize.
Recognized as one of the world’s greatest
mathematicians
 1930 Forced to retire from teaching under
Nazi rules.
 1933 Made honorary citizen of Konigsberg
 1943 Dies in Gottingen at age 81