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William Rowan Hamilton Scientist

Sir William Rowan Hamilton (midnight, 3–4 August 1805 – 2 September 1865) was an Irish physicist, astronomer, and mathematician, who made important contributions to classical mechanics, optics, and algebra. His studies of mechanical and optical systems led him to discover new mathematical concepts and techniques. His best known contribution to mathematical physics is the reformulation of Newtonian mechanics, now called Hamiltonian mechanics. This work has proven central to the modern study of classical field theories such as electromagnetism, and to the development of quantum mechanics. In pure mathematics, he is best known as the inventor of quaternions.Hamilton is said to have shown immense talent at a very early age. Astronomer Bishop Dr. John Brinkley remarked of the 18-year-old Hamilton, 'This young man, I do not say will be, but is, the first mathematician of his age.'

Personal facts

Birth date	August 04, 1805
Birth place	Dublin , Ireland
Nationality	Ireland
Date of death	September 02, 1865
Place of death	Dublin , Ireland
Residence	Ireland
Education	Trinity College Dublin
Known for	Hamiltonian (quantum mechanics) Tensor Icosian calculus Nabla symbol Versor Quaternion Universal algebra Cayley–Hamilton theorem Dedekind group Hamiltonian vector field Hamiltonian path Icosian game Hamiltonian mechanics Hamilton–Jacobi equation Biquaternion Hodograph Hamilton's principle

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