Bonaventura Cavalieri

Bonaventura Cavalieri
Cavalieri led the way to integral calculus
Born	1598 Milan
Died	30 November 1647 Bologna
Nationality	Italian
Other names	University of Pisa
Occupation	Mathematician
Known for	Cavalieri's principle

Bonaventura Francesco Cavalieri (Latin: Cavalerius; 1598 – 30 November 1647) was an Italian mathematician and a Jesuat. He is known for his work on the problems of optics and motion, work on indivisibles, the precursors of infinitesimal calculus, and the introduction of logarithms to Italy. Cavalieri's principle in geometry partially anticipated integral calculus.

Born in Milan, Cavalieri studied theology in the monastery of San Gerolamo in Milan and geometry at the University of Pisa as a member of the Jesuates order. He published eleven books, his first being published in 1632. He worked on the problems of optics and motion. His astronomical and astrological work remained marginal to these main interests, though his last book, Trattato della ruota planetaria perpetua (1646), was dedicated to the former. He was introduced to Galileo Galilei through academic and ecclesiastical contacts. Galileo exerted a strong influence on Cavalieri encouraging him to work on his new method and suggesting fruitful ideas, and Cavalieri would write at least 112 letters to Galileo. Galileo said of Cavalieri, "few, if any, since Archimedes, have delved as far and as deep into the science of geometry." He also benefited from the patronage of Cesare Marsili.