Who was Cardano?
Cardano is best known today for his work in the area of algebra. However, he was also the first to do a systematic study of the theory of probability (earlier than Fermat and Pascal, who were born over a century later).
Cardano obtained his doctorate in medicine at the University of Padua in 1526. He was then admitted to the College of Physicians and rapidly rose to the post of rector. In 1543 he accepted a professorship in Pavia.
His extensive list of findings covers topics in mathematics, physics and medical sciences. The Cardan axis and the Cardanic suspension are named after him.
In 1545 Cardano published the major work that is known as Ars Magna (The Great Art), which contains solutions to cubic and quartic equations. He completed his autobiography De Vita Propria Liber (The Book of my Life) shortly before his death. Cardano’s prolific output comprises 131 printed works and 111 manuscripts.