Euler and the German Princess

TL;DR

This paper explores the historical context and personal story behind Euler's Letters to a German Princess, revealing the princess's identity and her involvement with Euler's work in physics and philosophy.

Contribution

It uncovers the identity of the princess and analyzes the nature of Euler's correspondence, providing new insights into their relationship and the historical significance of the letters.

Findings

The princess was Friederike Charlotte von Brandenburg-Schwedt.

Euler's letters covered diverse subjects in physics and philosophy.

The correspondence influenced the princess's understanding of scientific ideas.

Abstract

In 1760, Leonhard Euler began to write beautiful Letters to a German Princess on Diverse Subjects of Physics and Philosophy. Much has been written about Euler and his work, but we wonder, who was the princess? How did she become involved with the greatest mathematician of her time? The princess was a fifteen year old named Friederike Charlotte von Brandenburg-Schwedt. In this article we explore her story and the nature of the letters.