Euclid
~325–265 BCE · Greek (Alexandria) · Hellenistic Period
Known for: Father of Geometry whose Elements was the most influential math textbook for 2,000 years
Euclid compiled the Elements—465 propositions built from 5 postulates—that organized all of Greek geometry into a logical, axiomatic system. It was the most influential mathematics textbook in history, second only to the Bible in number of editions printed.
When King Ptolemy asked for a shortcut to learning geometry, Euclid replied: 'There is no royal road to geometry.'
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