Known by many as the "Prince of Mathematics", Carl Friedrich Gauss (born Johann Friedrich Gauss) was destined for greatness almost since the days of Brunswick, Germany, a day of April 1777. Interestingly enough, Carl's mother, Dorothea Benze, did not know the exact date of his birth, only eight days before the Feast of the Ascension. Nearly 30 years later, Gauss created a rule for knowing the date of Easter, allowing him to place his birthday on April 30. As a child, Carl showed signs of great intelligence. It is said that he could add and subtract almost before he could walk. Gauss asked his father, Gebhard Gauss, to teach him the alphabet. He easily learned and learned to read. Unwilling or unable to recognize his son's genius, Carl's father sent him to spin flax in the evenings in order to earn money to help around the house. However, it was Carl's uncle who recognized his nephew's potential. At age seven, Carl was sent to the local high school. Soon the teacher saw that this young student was going beyond what could be taught. Gauss's father was called and informed of his son's genius. Most likely, Gebhard left with a sense of pride that his son would be more than a merchant, but perhaps a lawyer or even a professor. With this news, Carl was immediately put to work studying instead of spinning flax. The news of the child prodigy spread throughout Brunswick. Soon the ears of the Duke of Brunswick heard of him. The impressed Duke sent for Carl and thus began a friendship that would last until the Duke's death. All expenses paid by his new friend, Carl was sent to college at the age of 15. He studied modern and ancient languages ​​as well as mathematics. At 18, he entered the University of Göttingen. There he was in the middle of a paper... the same man once called Gauss "this colossal genius." At the age of 77, Gauss began complaining of poor health, not being able to sleep and "a congestion in the chest". This was diagnosed as an enlarged heart. His breathing became so short. Leaving the house was almost impossible. On February 23, 1855, Gauss died following several heart attacks. He was buried next to his mother in Göttingen. Gauss, like Isaac Newton, died a rich man, even if his salary was simple. It is said that the money he earned from his investments was enough to create a good fortune. Although he is gone, Carl Fiedrich Gauss' contributions constitute a legacy in the world of mathematics. Works Cited Dunnington, G. W. (1937). Inaugural conference on astronomy and articles on the foundations of mathematics. New York: Lousianna Stae University Press. Muir, J. (1961). Men and numbers. new York.