Simeon Denis Poisson
1781-1840

French mathematician, theoretical physicist. Professor at the École Polytechnique, 1802 on, also with Université de Paris, 1809 on. Went into mathematics after trying medicine, law at urging of family, but with no success. Primarily interested in the application of mathematics to physics. Over 300 papers in mathematics, physics, and astronmy.

Many developments in probability theory, Poisson statistics. Introduced part of Hamilton's equations, Poisson brackets, algebra of constants of the motion, 1809. Developed description of rotations through Euler-Poisson bracket equations. Published his influential Traité de mécanique in 1811. Worked on electrostatics and magnetism, studied Poisson's equation in potential theory, solution through Poisson integrals, summation of series.