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Pierre Simon Laplace. Photo by Sophie Feytaud.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Pierre-Simon Laplace

Pierre-Simon Laplace was a French polymath and scholar who formed a tremendous impact on the development of physics, astronomy, statistics, engineering, philosophy, and mathematics.

He was born on the 23^rd of March 1749 and died on the 5^th of march 1827. He was born in Beaumont-en-Auge, Normandy which is approximately four miles west of pone I’Eveque.

He was the son of Pierre de Laplace and Marie-Anne Sochon. His father was greatly involved in the cider trade while his mother came from a family that was well established in farming and owned land at Tourgeville. His father owned and did farming at the small estate of Marquis.  

Many historians claim that his families were poor farming people or peasant farmers. Little is known about Laplace’s early life as records of his life were burnt in the house of his great-great-grandson in 1925.

Below are the top ten interesting facts about Pierre-Simon Laplace

1. His Father Intended that he become a Roman Catholic Priest

Pierre-Simon Laplace attended his elementary school at the Benedictine Priory School in Beaumont between the ages of seven and sixteen as a day pupil. His father intended for him to take a career in either the military or the church which was mostly the destination for pupils at priory school.

After the age of sixteen, he joined Caen University to enroll in theology since he intended to enter the church. However, after two years in the university, he discovered his talent in mathematics and his love for the subject.

The discovery of his talents is credited to two of his mathematics teachers at Caen, P Le Canu and C Gaadbled who realized his great potential in mathematics. However, little is known about the two teachers except that they discovered his potential.

2. He Withdrew from Theology and Left for Â鶹APP to Pursue Mathematics

Portrait of Mathematician Pierre-Simon de Laplace. Photo by Johann Ernst Heinsius.

Pierre-Simon Laplace discovered his talent in mathematics while pursuing theology at Caen University. That was his second year at the university.

He left Caen without taking his degree and left for Â鶹APP. He carried along a letter of introduction from his teacher, Le Canu to d’Alembert, who was supreme in scientific circles at the time.

At the moment, Laplace was only nineteen years old, however, he managed to impress D’Alembert with his outstanding talent. D’Alembert was impressed by the young talent and recommended him for a teaching place in Ecole Militaire.

3. He was appointed as Professor of Mathematics at Ecole Militaire

Laplace was appointed as professor of mathematics at Ecole Militaire in 1771. He worked at the institution for seventeen years until 1787.

The job allowed him to throw himself into original research which was a platform for him to produce his original work in astronomy. Soon after joining the institution, he began producing a steady stream of remarkable mathematical papers.

4. Laplace Failed to be Elected twice into Academic des Sciences

Pierre-Simon Laplace attempted to gain election to the Academic des Sciences in 1771 and Vandermonde was preferred in that year. In the following year, he tried again to gain admission but he, however, failed again and Cousin was elected.

This made him angry even though he was only twenty-three years old while Cousin was thirty-three. Laplace felt that he was better suited and that Cousin was inferior to him.

However, D’Alembert was disappointed with the outcomes and he wrote to the Director of Mathematics at the Berlin Academy of Science requesting him to have Laplace elected to the Berlin Academy.

5. He made Major Contributions to Difference Equations and Differential Equations

Pierre-Simon Laplace. Photo by Jean-Baptiste Paulin Guérin.

 Laplace was greatly involved in mathematics and made major inputs in the time. He made major contributions, especially in differential equations and difference equations.

He also examined applications to mathematical astronomy and the theory of probability. Some of his work on mathematical astronomy included work on the inclination of planetary orbits. This was a study on how the planets were perturbed by their moons.

He also made a study on the motions of the planets which was his first step towards his later masterpiece on the stability of the solar system.

6. He was Appointed as Examiner at the Royal Artillery Corps

Pierre-Simon Laplace was appointed as an examiner at the Royal Artillery Corps in 1784. He held this position for some time and he examined the sixteen-year-old Napoleon Bonaparte and passed.

He was involved in the writing of reports on the cadet that was examined. This made him popular with ministers in the government and other powerful individuals in France.

7. Pierre-Simon Laplace was Widely Knowledgeable in all Sciences

The Nebular Hypothesis of Laplace. Photo by

Pierre-Simon Laplace was very knowledgeable in all sciences which caused him to be promoted to senior positions in Academie des Sciences. He dominated all the discussions in the Academie.

He regarded analyses as a way of attacking physics problems and his ability to invent the necessary analysis was almost phenomenal. He explained his results by steps by which he arrived at them.

He came up with different theories including the dynamic theory of tides, Laplace’s tidal equations, potential theory, and other major concepts.

8. His Wife was 20 Years Younger than him

Pierre-Simon Laplace married on the 15^th of May 1788. He was wife was called Marie-Charlotte de Courty de Romanges. At this time, Laplace was thirty-nine years old while his wife was twenty years younger.

They both had two children. One of their sons Charles – Emile was born in 1789 and he pursued a career in the military.

9. He was Minister of the Interior for 6 Weeks

 Laplace was careful not to be involved in the politics that were outside of Academie de Sciences. He withdrew from Â鶹APP during the most violent part of the revolution.

However, he was appointed to the post of Minister of Interior by Napoleon in November 1799. This was after seizing power in the coup of 18 Brumaire. After six weeks the post was given to Napoleon’s brother.

10. Laplace’s Brain was Removed after his Death

Tomb of Pierre-Simon Laplace. Photo by Joneau.

Laplace died on 5^th march 1827 in Â鶹APP. This was the same day when Alessandro Volta also died. The brain of Laplace was removed by his physician who kept it for many years.

His brain was smaller than average and It was displayed in an anatomical museum in Britain. He was buried at Pere Lachaise in Â鶹APP. However, his remains were moved to Saint Julien de Mailloc in 1888.

Pierre-Simon Laplace played a major role in the field of astronomy, physics, and mathematics. His contribution to the development of theories is unmatched. His work has been celebrated over the years.