Two generations of distinguished Swiss mathematicians.
Jakob (1655–1705) and Johann (1667–1748) were the sons of a pharmacist who wanted one boy to study theology and the other medicine. Over his objections, both pursued careers in mathematics, making important discoveries in calculus , the calculus of variations, and Bernoulli's principle ) and probability theory . Widely admired throughout Europe, he also studied and lectured on medicine, physics, astronomy, and botany.