Olinde Rodrigues was born on June 10, 1795, in Bordeaux, France. He was born Benjamin Olinde Rodrigues and came from a wealthy Sephardi Jewish family. From a young age, Rodrigues showed a keen interest in mathematics and quickly excelled in the subject. He attended the University of Paris, where he obtained a doctorate in mathematics in 1815.
After completing his studies, Rodrigues went on to have a successful career as a banker, mathematician, and social reformer. One of his most notable achievements was the development of Rodrigues' formula, a formula for the Legendre polynomials. His work on transformation groups also led to the discovery of quaternions, a mathematical concept that would have a significant impact on the field of mathematics.
Rodrigues was a staunch adherent of Comte de Saint-Simon's socialist philosophy, which had a profound influence on his thinking. His beliefs in social reform and equality were reflected in his work and mathematical endeavors.
Aside from his professional achievements, Rodrigues was also known for his dedication to his family. He was a devoted husband and father, and his family life played a significant role in shaping his values and beliefs.
Olinde Rodrigues left behind a lasting legacy in the field of mathematics. His pioneering work in areas such as transformation groups and quaternions laid the foundation for future generations of mathematicians. Despite facing challenges and obstacles during his lifetime, Rodrigues persevered and continued to push the boundaries of mathematical knowledge. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field and continue to inspire mathematicians to this day.