Charles Hermite

Charles Hermite was a French mathematician known for his significant contributions to algebra, number theory, and analysis in the 19th century. He is best recognized for proving the transcendence of the number \( e \), which established that \( e \) is not the root of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients. Hermite's work laid the groundwork for later developments in mathematics, including the fields of linear algebra and differential equations. His legacy continues to influence modern mathematical theory and practice.