Johann Friedrich Pfaff | |
|---|---|
 Johann Friedrich Pfaff | |
| Born | 22 December 1765 |
| Died | 21 April 1825 (aged 59) |
| Nationality | German |
| Alma mater | University of Göttingen |
| Known for | Pfaffians Pfaffian constraint Pfaffian function Pfaffian system Pfaffian orientation |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | University of Helmstedt Halle University |
| Doctoral advisor | Abraham Kästner Johann Elert Bode |
| Doctoral students | Carl Friedrich Gauss August Möbius Karl Mollweide |
| Other notable students | Johann Christian Martin Bartels |
Johann Friedrich Pfaff (sometimes spelled Friederich; 22 December 1765 – 21 April 1825) was a German mathematician. He was described as one of Germany's most eminent mathematicians during the 19th century. He was a precursor of the German school of mathematical thinking, under which Carl Friedrich Gauss and his followers largely determined the lines on which mathematics developed during the 19th century.
They asked Laplace who, in his opinion, was the greatest mathematician of Germany. "It's Pfaff," he answered. - "I thought," the questioner replied, "that Gauss was superior to him." - "But," exclaimed Laplace, "you're asking me who is the greatest mathematician of Germany, and Gauss is the greatest mathematician of Europe."
— Nouvelle Biographie Générale, volume 19, page 686.