Srinivasa Ramanujan – First Indian as Fellow of Trinity College, Cambride

Srinivasa Ramanujan is widely regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. Born in 1887 in Erode, Tamil Nadu, India, he made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, despite having little formal training.

Fellowship at Trinity College, Cambridge

Ramanujan’s work caught the attention of mathematicians in England, and in 1913, he was invited to come to Cambridge University. Although he faced many difficulties in adjusting to life in England, he eventually settled in and began to produce groundbreaking research.

In 1918, Ramanujan became the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, a prestigious honor that recognized his exceptional contributions to mathematics. His election as a Fellow was a significant achievement, given that Trinity College had a history of only admitting students from elite schools such as Eton and Harrow.

Unusual Paper on Bernoulli Numbers

Ramanujan’s first paper, which was published in the Journal of the London Mathematical Society in March 1916, was on a number series named after Jacob Bernoulli. The paper was unlike anything seen in mathematical research at that time, and it caused a stir among mathematicians.

The paper contained several formulas for computing the values of the Bernoulli numbers, which are a sequence of rational numbers that arise in number theory. Ramanujan’s work on the Bernoulli numbers laid the foundation for his later work on modular forms, which revolutionized the study of number theory.

Investigations in Elliptic Functions and Number Theory

In addition to his work on the Bernoulli numbers, Ramanujan made significant contributions to the theory of elliptic functions and number theory. His investigations in these areas earned him a Fellowship of the Royal Society in 1918, making him the youngest Fellow in the history of the Royal Society at that time.

Ramanujan’s work on elliptic functions and number theory was highly influential and has had a lasting impact on mathematics. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Ramanujan Prize, which is awarded annually to young mathematicians from developing countries.