Sir William Rowan Hamilton (1805–65) was an Irish mathematician, physicist, and astronomer whose work in algebra, optics, and mechanics laid the foundation for modern mathematical physics. He is best known for developing quaternions, an extension of complex numbers describing three-dimensional space.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Hamilton showed exceptional linguistic and mathematical ability early on. He entered Trinity College Dublin (1823) and, while still an undergraduate, was appointed Royal Astronomer of Ireland (1827.) His optical research led to the discovery of conical refraction, later confirmed experimentally.
His major works include Theory of Systems of Rays (1828,) a key text in geometrical optics; Lectures on Quaternions (1853,) introducing quaternion algebra; and Elements of Quaternions (1866,) a comprehensive study of the subject.
Hamilton’s formulation of Hamiltonian mechanics in the 1830s revolutionized classical mechanics, later becoming fundamental in quantum mechanics and electromagnetism.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William Rowan Hamilton
The highest reach of human science is the scientific recognition of human ignorance.
—William Rowan Hamilton
Topics: Ignorance
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