Thabit ibn qurra biography of william shakespeare

836-901

Syrian Mathematician

Not only was his writing on amicable or friendly numbers the first notable example of original mathematical work in the Middle East, but Thabit ibn Qurra distinguished himself with his translations of major writings by the mathematicians of Greek antiquity.

He also translated works of astronomy, adding his own ideas to Ptolemy's concepts of the spheres, and discussed mechanics.

Al-Sabi Thabit ibn Qurra al-Harrani, born in the town of Harran in what is now Turkey, was not an Arab or a Muslim.

Rather, his people spoke Syriac and were members of the Sabian sect. The Sabians worshipped the stars, and thus Thabit grew up in a situation particularly suited to a future mathematician with an interest in astronomy. In addition, the Sabians were strongly influenced by Greek culture, and Thabit became proficient both in Greek and Arabic.

A member of a wealthy family who inherited a handsome fortune, Thabit left his home-town to study ma