Pierre-Simon Laplace, 1749-1827

Pierre-Simon Laplace was among the most influential scientists in history. Often referred to as the lawgiver of French science, he is known for his technical contributions to exact science, for the philosophical point of view he developed in the presentation of his work, and for the leading part he took in forming the modern discipline of mathematical physics. His two most famous treatises were the five-volume Traité de mécanique céleste (1799-1825) and Théorie analytique des probabilités (1812). In the former he demonstrated mathematically the stability of the solar system in service to the universal Newtonian law of gravity. In the latter he developed probability from a set of miscellaneous problems concerning games, averages, mortality, and insurance risks into the branch of mathematics that permitted the quantification of estimates of error and the drawing of statistical inferences, wherever data warranted, in social, medical, and juridical matters, as well as in the physical sciences.


This book traces the development of Laplace's research program and of his participation in the Academy of Science during the last decades of the Old Regime into the early years of the French Revolution. A scientific biography by Charles Gillispie comprises the major portion of the book. Robert Fox contributes an account of Laplace's attempt to form a school of young physicists who would extend the Newtonian model from astronomy to physics, and Ivor Grattan-Guinness summarizes the history of the scientist's most important single mathematical contribution, the Laplace Transform.

Preface Ch. 2Finite Differences, Recurrent Series, and Theory of Chance Ch. 3Probability of Events and of Their Causes: The Origin of Statistical Inference Ch. 4Universal Gravitation Ch. 5Distribution of Comets Ch. 6Partial Differential Equations, Determinants, and Variation of Constants Ch. 7The Figure of the Earth and the Motion of the Seas Pt. IILaplace in his Prime, 1778-1789 Ch. 9Variation of Constants, Differential Operators Ch. 10Probability Matured Ch. 11Generating Functions and Definite Integrals Ch. 12Population Ch. 13Determination of the Orbits of Comets Ch. 14Lavoisier and Laplace: Chemical Physics of Heat Ch. 15Attraction of Spheroids Ch. 16Planetary Astronomy Pt. IIISynthesis and Scientific Statesmanship Ch. 18Scientific Work in the Early Revolution Ch. 19Exposition du systeme du monde Ch. 20A Scientific Eminence Ch. 21Traite de mecanique celeste Pt. IVLaplacian Physics and Probability Ch. 23Short-Range Forces Ch. 24The Laplacian School Ch. 25Theory of Error Ch. 26Probability: Theorie analytique and Essai philosophique Ch. 27Loss of Influence Ch. 28The Last Analysis Pt. VThe Laplace Transform Conclusion Abbreviations Bibliography Index