James Joseph Sylvester

English mathematician (1814-1897)
Person human Q310781
James Joseph Sylvester
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James Joseph Sylvester

Summary

James Joseph Sylvester is a human[1]. Born in London[2], he… he was born on September 3, 1814[3]. He died in London[4]. He died on March 15, 1897[5]. He worked as a mathematician[6], actuary[7], university teacher[8], and barrister[9]. He ranks in the top 0.72% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (475 views/month, #7,198 of 1,000,298).[10]

Key Facts

  • Born in London[2], James Joseph Sylvester…
  • James Joseph Sylvester died in London[4].
  • James Joseph Sylvester was born on September 3, 1814[3].
  • James Joseph Sylvester died on March 15, 1897[5].
  • James Joseph Sylvester is buried at Kingsbury Road Cemetery[11].
  • James Joseph Sylvester held citizenship in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[12].
  • English was James Joseph Sylvester's native language[13].
  • James Joseph Sylvester is identified as part of the Jewish people ethnic group[14].
  • James Joseph Sylvester worked as a mathematician[6].
  • James Joseph Sylvester worked as an actuary[7].
  • James Joseph Sylvester's professions included university teacher[8].
  • James Joseph Sylvester worked as a barrister[9].
  • James Joseph Sylvester's field of work was algebra[15].
  • James Joseph Sylvester's field of work was combinatorics[16].
  • James Joseph Sylvester's field of work was number theory[17].
  • James Joseph Sylvester's field of work was mathematics[18].
  • James Joseph Sylvester's field of work was linear algebra[19].
  • James Joseph Sylvester's field of work was matrix theory[20].
  • James Joseph Sylvester held the position of Savilian Professor of Geometry[21].
  • James Joseph Sylvester held the position of chairperson[22].
  • Among James Joseph Sylvester's employers was Johns Hopkins University[23].
  • Among James Joseph Sylvester's employers was University of London[24].
  • James Joseph Sylvester was employed by University of Virginia[25].
  • James Joseph Sylvester was employed by Royal Military Academy, Woolwich[26].
  • James Joseph Sylvester was employed by University of Oxford[27].

Body

Origins and Family

James Joseph Sylvester's place of birth was London[2]. He was born on September 3, 1814[3]. He is identified as part of the Jewish people ethnic group[14]. English was his native language[13].

Education

Educated at St John's College[28], a college of the University of Cambridge[29], in United Kingdom[30], founded in 1511[31]; Trinity College, Dublin[32], a collegiate university[33], in Ireland[34], founded in 1592[35], headquartered in Dublin[36]; University College London[37], a university college[38], in United Kingdom[39], founded in 1826[40], headquartered in UCL Main Building[41]; and Liverpool Royal Institution[42], a learned society[43], in United Kingdom[44], founded in 1814[45], headquartered in Royal Institution[46].

Career and Affiliations

Recorded occupations include mathematician[6], actuary[7], university teacher[8], and barrister[9]. Fields of work include algebra[15], a branch of mathematics[47]; combinatorics[16], a branch of mathematics[48]; number theory[17], a branch of mathematics[49]; mathematics[18], an academic discipline[50]; linear algebra[19], a branch of mathematics[51]; and matrix theory[20], a branch of mathematics[52]. Employers include Johns Hopkins University[23], a private university[53], in United States[54], founded in 1876[55], headquartered in Baltimore[56]; University of London[24], a university[57], in United Kingdom[58], founded in 1836[59], headquartered in London[60]; University of Virginia[25], a public research university[61], in United States[62], founded in 1819[63], headquartered in Charlottesville[64]; Royal Military Academy, Woolwich[26], a military academy[65], in United Kingdom[66], founded in 1741[67]; University of Oxford[27], a collegiate university[68], in United Kingdom[69], founded in 1096[70], headquartered in Oxford[71]; and Equity and Law Life Assurance Society[72]. Positions held include Savilian Professor of Geometry[21], a chair[73], founded in 1619[74] and chairperson[22], a type of position[75]. Doctoral students include William Pitt Durfee[76], George Bruce Halsted[77], Irving Stringham[78], Thomas Craig[79], Fabian Franklin[80], and Ellery William Davis[81].

Works and Contributions

Notable works include Sylvester's law of inertia[82], Sylvester–Gallai theorem[83], and Sylvester's sequence[84]. Things named for James Joseph Sylvester include Sylvester's law of inertia[85], a theorem[86]; Sylvester matrix[87], a mathematical concept[88]; Greedy algorithm for Egyptian fractions[89], a method[90]; Sylvester Medal[91]; Sylvester[92]; Sylvester's sequence[93]; and Sylvester's criterion[94].

Recognition

Awards received include Copley Medal[95], De Morgan Medal[96], Fellow of the Royal Society[97], and Royal Medal[98].

Personal Life

James Joseph Sylvester's religion is recorded as Judaism[99].

Death and Burial

James Joseph Sylvester died on March 15, 1897[5]. He died in London[4]. He is buried at Kingsbury Road Cemetery[11].

Why It Matters

James Joseph Sylvester ranks in the top 0.72% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (475 views/month, #7,198 of 1,000,298).[10] He has Wikipedia articles in 25 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[100] He is known by 22 alternative names across languages and contexts.[101]

He is credited with the discovery of Hadamard matrix[102]. Entities named for him include Sylvester's law of inertia[85], a theorem[86]; Sylvester matrix[87], a mathematical concept[88]; Greedy algorithm for Egyptian fractions[89], a method[90]; Sylvester Medal[91]; Sylvester[92]; and Sylvester's sequence[93].

His notable doctoral advisees include Fabian Franklin[103], a mathematician[104], 1853–1939[105]; George Bruce Halsted[106], a mathematician[107], 1853–1922[108], of United States[109], specialised in geometry[110]; and Irving Stringham[111], a mathematician[112], 1847–1909[113], of United States[114], specialised in mathematics[115].

FAQs

Where was James Joseph Sylvester born?

Born in London[2], James Joseph Sylvester…

Where did James Joseph Sylvester die?

James Joseph Sylvester passed away in London[4].

What did James Joseph Sylvester do for work?

James Joseph Sylvester worked as mathematician[6], actuary[7], university teacher[8], and barrister[9].

Where did James Joseph Sylvester go to school?

James Joseph Sylvester was educated at St John's College[28], Trinity College, Dublin[32], University College London[37], and Liverpool Royal Institution[42].

What awards did James Joseph Sylvester receive?

Honors received include Copley Medal[95], De Morgan Medal[96], Fellow of the Royal Society[97], and Royal Medal[98].

What did James Joseph Sylvester discover?

James Joseph Sylvester is credited as discoverer of Hadamard matrix[102].

References

Programmatic citations — every numbered marker resolves to a verifiable graph row below.

Direct Wikidata claims

  1. [2] ↑ . Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978). Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  2. [4] ↑ . Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978). Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  3. [12] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  4. [21] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  5. [22] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  6. [28] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  7. [32] ↑ . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  8. [37] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  9. [42] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  10. [15] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  11. [16] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  12. [17] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  13. [18] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  14. [19] ↑ . Czech National Authority Database. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  15. [20] ↑ . Czech National Authority Database. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  16. [13] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  17. [6] ↑ . Integrated Authority File. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  18. [7] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  19. [8] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  20. [9] ↑ . Men-at-the-Bar. wikidata.org.
  21. [23] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  22. [24] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  23. [25] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  24. [26] ↑ . Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  25. [27] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  26. [72] ↑ . Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. wikidata.org.
  27. [11] ↑ . Find a Grave. wikidata.org.
  28. [99] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  29. [95] ↑ . docs.google.com. Retrieved . docs.google.com. Provenance: wikidata.org.
  30. [96] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  31. [97] ↑ . Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  32. [98] ↑ . Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  33. [14] ↑ . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  34. [76] ↑ . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  35. [77] ↑ . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  36. [78] ↑ . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  37. [79] ↑ . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  38. [80] ↑ . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  39. [81] ↑ . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  40. [3] ↑ . Integrated Authority File. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  41. [5] ↑ . Integrated Authority File. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  42. [82] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  43. [83] ↑ . wikidata.org.
  44. [84] ↑ . wikidata.org.

Inverse relationships (entities pointing at this one)

  1. [102] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [103] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [106] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [111] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [85] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [87] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [89] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [91] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [92] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  10. [93] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site
  11. [94] ↑ . wikidata.org. → on this site

Inline context (facts about related entities)

  1. [73] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [74] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [75] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [29] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [30] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [31] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [33] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [34] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [35] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  10. [36] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  11. [38] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  12. [39] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  13. [40] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  14. [41] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  15. [43] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  16. [44] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  17. [45] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  18. [46] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  19. [47] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  20. [48] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  21. [49] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  22. [50] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
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  24. [52] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  25. [53] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  26. [54] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  27. [55] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  28. [56] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  29. [57] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  30. [58] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  31. [59] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  32. [60] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  33. [61] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  34. [62] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  35. [63] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  36. [64] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  37. [65] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  38. [66] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  39. [67] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  40. [68] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  41. [69] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  42. [70] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  43. [71] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  44. [104] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  45. [105] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  46. [107] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
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  49. [110] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  50. [112] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  51. [113] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  52. [114] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  53. [115] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  54. [86] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  55. [88] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  56. [90] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site

Class ancestry

  1. [1] ↑ . Wikidata. wikidata.org.

Aggregate / graph-position facts

  1. [10] ↑ . Wikimedia Foundation. dumps.wikimedia.org.
  2. [100] ↑ . Wikidata sitelinks. wikidata.org.
  3. [101] ↑ . Wikidata aliases. wikidata.org.

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APA 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph. (2026). James Joseph Sylvester. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://4ort.xyz/entity/james-joseph-sylvester
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BibTeX @misc{4ortxyz_james-joseph-sylvester_2026, author = {{4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph}}, title = {{James Joseph Sylvester}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://4ort.xyz/entity/james-joseph-sylvester}, note = {Accessed: 2026-10-04}}
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Edit History

Rolling log of changes to this entity's Wikidata record. Values shown reflect the current state of each edited property — follow the history link to see the precise diff for any edit.

  1. 9w ago · Epìdosis · 2026-08-04 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Accademia nazionale dei lincei id → sylvester-james-joseph
    "/* wbeditentity-update:0| */ QuickStatements 3.0 [[:toollabs:qs-dev/batch/45365|batch #45365]]: Update P14091 IDs"
  2. 16w ago · Gamaliel · 2026-06-11 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Father → Q140181225
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:1||1 */ [[Property:P22]]: [[Q140181225]], Adding statement(s) using [[:toollabs:wikidata-todo/relator2|Relator2]]"
  3. 19w ago · Quesotiotyo · 2026-05-20 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    P14397 → 4645
    "/* wbcreateclaim-create:1| */ [[Property:P14397]]: 4645, [[:toollabs:quickstatements/#/batch/258229|batch #258229]]"
  4. 21w ago · Epìdosis · 2026-05-12 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Instance of → —
    Topic's main category → Category:James Joseph Sylvester
    Place of birth → London
    Described by source → Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978), Dictionary of National Biography, 1885–1900, Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary +3
    + 36 other properties edited (see Wikidata diff for full list)
    "/* wbeditentity-update:0| */ QuickStatements 3.0 [[:toollabs:qs-dev/batch/30848|batch #30848]]: match CERL IDs on the basis of GND (5)"
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