Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier was a French mathematician and a scientist
who engrossed himself in the applied mathematical methods of the study of vibrations and the transfer of heat.
He invented what is now known as the Fourier series
which uses sine and cosine waves, as a way of
representing any periodic function.
This led to the development of Fourier’s law of heat conduction.
During his time, he held many, varied posts,
a teacher, a political prisoner,
Governor of Egypt, prefect of Isere and finally secretary of the Academie des Sciences.
Fourier was born in the year 1768,
to a large and humble family in France.
He was the ninth child of his father, a tailor,
who died, leaving Fourier an orphan at the tender age of 9.
Due to his high academic credentials in his early years
he was given financial support to complete his education through the recommendation of bishop of Auxerre.
He enrolled in Ecole Royale Militaire which was under Benedictine order of the covenant of St. Mark.
Initially he had a great interest in literature
but later discovered a greater passion for mathematics.
He, therefore, studied mathematics with great enthusiasm
and is reputed to have collected candle stubs so that he could study late into the night.
By the year 1782, he had completed studying the six volumes of ‘Bossut’s Cours de Mathematiques.’
Moreover, in the following year he was awarded a prize for his completing a study of ‘Bossut’s mechanique en’ general.
In the year 1787 he decided to join Benedict abbey of Saint-Benoît-surLoire to train as a priest.
He later discovered that priesthood was not his calling
rather he wanted to be a mathematician
and was determined to make his impact on the world through his skill in mathematics.
For this reason, as well as the fact that in 1789, the newly formed Constituent Assembly in France forbade it,
Fourier did not take his religious vows.
Thereafter, Fourier left the Abbey and returned to the Benedictine college,
Ecole Royale Militaire of Auxerre where he had earlier studied,
to work on his passion in the field of mathematics as an assistant to his teacher Bonard.
Despite Fourier declining to take the priesthood vows,
he was not yet fully settled on whether he should specialize in mathematical research
or should
concentrate on a religious life.
However
three years later, he found yet another calling.
He became interested in politics
and came into the company of the local revolutionary committee
where, in 1793, he wrote:
“As the natural ideas of equality developed,
it was possible to conceive the sublime hope of establishing among us
a free government, exempt from kings and priests,
and to free from this double yoke, the long-usurped soil of Europe.
I readily became enamored of this cause, in my opinion, the greatest and most beautiful one
which any nation has ever undertaken.”
However Fourier was disillusioned with the French revolution
and he trie Nto resign from the committee.
This was unsuccessful and he found himself trapped and unable to distance himself from it.
He therefore maintained his position in the revolutionary committee,
simultaneously continuing with his college teaching work.
During the period of the Robespierre  government, many of Robespierre’s opposers were sent to the guillotine.
This outraged Fourier leading him to speak out against the terror he
perceived in Orleans
for which he was arrested.
However a group of Jacobin allies arrested Robespierre
and he himself was sent to the
guillotine,
providing Fourier a doorway to freedom.
