What is Sophie Germain?
{{Infobox scientist | name = Sophie Germain | image = Germain.jpeg | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1776|4|1|}} | birth_place = Rue Saint-Denis, Paris, France | death_date ={{death date and age|df=yes|1831|6|27|1776|4|1}} | death_place = Paris, France | nationality = French | field = [[Mathematician]], [[physicist]], and [[philosopher]] | work_institution = | alma_mater = | academic_advisors = [[Carl Friedrich Gauss]] (epistolary correspondent) | notable_students = | known_for = [[Elasticity (physics)|Elasticity theory]] and [[number theory]] (e.g. [[Sophie Germain prime]] numbers) | prizes = | footnotes = '''Other name:''' Auguste Antoine Le Blanc }} '''Marie-Sophie Germain''' (April 1, 1776 – June 27, 1831) was a [[France|French]] [[mathematician]], [[physicist]], and [[Philosophy|philosopher]] who made important contributions to [[differential geometry]] and [[number theory]]. She was born in 1776 in an era of [[revolution]]. In many ways Sophie embodied the spirit of revolution into which she was born. She was a middle-class female who went against the wishes of her family and the social [[prejudice]]s of the time to become a highly recognized mathematician. It took a long time for her to be recognized and appreciated for her contributions to the field of mathematics, but she did not give up. Even today, it is felt that she was never given as much credit as she was due for the contributions she made in number theory and [[mathematical physics]] because she was a woman. == Early life == [[File:Archimedes'-Lever.png|left|thumb|186x186px|•Legend of Archimedes’ death sparked Sophie’s interest. ]] [[File:Old-books-436498 480.webp|left|thumb|185x185px|Father’s library. Self-teaching.]] Sophie Germain was born in [[Paris]]. Her family was quite [[Wealth|wealthy]]. Her father was a [[merchant]] and later became director of the [[Bank of France]]. Sophie's interest in mathematics began during the [[French Revolution]] when she was 13 years old and confined to her home due to the danger caused by revolts in Pa