Girolamo Cardano (1501-1576), a towering figure of the Italian Renaissance, is renowned for his groundbreaking contributions across numerous fields. A mathematician, physician, biologist, chemist, astrologer, and philosopher, he is especially recognized as one of the greatest mathematicians of his time. His most famous work, De Subtilitate (first published in 1550), is an encyclopedic collection of knowledge that spans cosmology, physics, medicine, mathematics, the natural sciences, and even the occult. Written in an often elliptical and complex Latin, De Subtilitate explores everything from the construction of machines to the influence of demons, offering a fascinating mix of real scientific facts, superstition, and technological insight. The work includes diagrams and descriptions of chemical instruments and cryptology, reflecting Cardano’s wide-ranging interests.
Cardano is particularly celebrated for his achievements in algebra, where he was the first in Europe to systematically use negative numbers and acknowledged the existence of imaginary numbers. His contributions to probability theory, inspired by his passion for gambling, were also pioneering. He introduced the binomial coefficients and binomial theorem to the Western world. His other landmark work, Ars Magna (1545), further established his mathematical legacy, especially through his treatment of cubic equations and the use of square roots of negative numbers. De Subtilitate also reflects his deep engagement with scientific thought, offering a blend of physical knowledge, superstition, and alchemical ideas. Some historians even suggest that Cardano may have used Leonardo da Vinci’s unpublished notes in shaping his ideas.
In addition to his mathematical and philosophical achievements, Cardano invented mechanical devices like the Cardan shaft, which remains in use today. His wide-ranging intellect, driven by a blend of curiosity and practicality, earned him a place among the Renaissance’s most influential polymaths.
Bibliography: Richard S. Westfall “Cardano, Girolamo” In: The Galileo Project rice.edu. http://galileo.rice.edu/Catalog/NewFiles/cardano.html
Adams A672; Galland, Cryptography, 34; Riccardi I, 252.
