Euclid

This pioneering dinosaur, who lived 300 years before Jesus Christ, is the “grandfather” of geometry. Most of his works were lost; but those that survived indicated that he was the first academician credited with using logical and exacting proofs in solving theorems and conjectures. He was also the first scholar credited with the proof that prime numbers are infinitely many; as well as the first to define and differentiate axioms from theorems. After cutting his teeth with the ancient Egyptian works: as revamped by Pythagoras and Eudoxus, Euclid helped refurbish the Maths Department at the University of Alexandria. He later published his 13 books, (collectively called The Elements), which served as the world’s standard syllabus for more than 2000 years; and whose basis constitutes part of today’s Secondary School curricula. Likewise, the Systems Definitions and the Geometrical Axioms, which he chronicled, have served the world for over 2200 years. These helped consolidate his position as the most famous mathematician, the most influential mathematician, and one of the greatest maths tutors. In addition to geometry, Euclid studied algebra, arithmetic, optics and astronomy. And based on developmental similarities, as well as on direct references, Apollonius of Perga emulated him. The fact that Euclid was nurtured in Egypt exposed him to the lofty schools of thoughts which were the world’s bests then. His analytical style is a reminder of the triumphs of the Egyptian Civilization. Simply put, if you are not dripping wet with Euclidean Geometry, you have not bathed in the ocean of mathematics.