Simon Stevin

Simon Stevin (Known as "Simon of Bruges / Stevinus")

Mathematician, Physicist, Military Engineer, Introduced Decimal Fractions in Europe

Born c. 1548

Bruges, Belgium

Passed Away Feb 01, 1620 The Hague, Dutch Republic

Lifespan 72 years old

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Notice / Correction

"Wonder en is gheen wonder (A marvel, yet no miracle: all nature obeys mathematical law)."

Archival Overview

Brilliant Bruges mathematician, physicist, and military engineer whose pamphlet De Thiende introduced decimal fractions to Europe and who formulated the laws of statics and hydrostatics.

Biographical Record

Born in Bruges, Stevin worked as a bookkeeper and tax clerk in Antwerp before matriculating at the University of Leiden in 1583. He became the chief mathematical tutor and military advisor to Prince Maurice of Nassau, transforming siege warfare, canal fortification, and navigation.

In his 1585 treatise De Thiende (The Dime), Stevin revolutionized arithmetic by establishing decimal fractions for everyday practical use. In De Beghinselen der Weeghconst (1586), he formulated the parallelogram of forces and disproved Aristotle's law of falling bodies years before Galileo.

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Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Simon Stevinplein (Statue and memorial site)
Bruges, Belgium

                         GPS: 51.2069, 3.2214                    

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