Search Loci: Convergence: Mathematics is a language. Francois-
Joseph Servois: Priest, Artillery Officer, and Professor of
Mathematics In 1793, Servois left the priesthood and joined the
army to become an officer in the Foot Artillery, sometimes
referred to as Heavy Artillery. On March 5, 1794, he officially
entered the artillery school at Châlons. He was commissioned as
Second Lieutenant in the First Foot Artillery Regiment on
November 13 of the same year. While in the army, Servois was
actively involved in battle many times. He participated, for
instance, in the crossing of the Rhine and the battle at Neuwied
(1796-97), and the final battle in March of 1814 to defend Paris
from the Austrian and Prussian armies. Figure 4 (page 5)
displays a painting of the 1814 Battle of Paris. While on active
duty, Servois would spend his leisure time studying mathematics.
He demonstrated his mathematical abilities when he made
improvements to one of the cannons, significantly increasing its
firing range. Servois suffered fr