On parental support | Leonhard Euler (1707-1783)

“His  father,  having  all  along  intended  him  for his  successor,  enjoined  him  new  to  relinquish  his mathematical  studies,  and  to  prepare  himself  by those  of  theology,  and  general  erudition,  for  the ministerial  functions.  After  some  time,  however, had  been  consumed,  this  plan  was  given  up.  The father,  himself  a  man  of  learning  and  liberality, abandoned  his  own  views  for  those,  to  which  the inclination  and  talents  of  his  son  were  of  them- selves so  powerfully  directed ;  persuaded,  that  in thwarting  the  propensities  of  genius,  there  is  a sort  of  impiety  against  nature,  and  that  there would  be  real  injustice  to  mankind  in  smothering those  abilities,  which  were  evidently  destined  to extend  the  boundaries  of  science.  Leonard  was permitted,  therefore,  to  resume  his  favorite  pur- suits; and,  at  the age  of  nineteen,  transmitting two  dissertations  to  the  Academy  of  Sciences  at Paris,  one  on  the  masting  of  ships,  and  the  other on  the  philosophy  of  sound,  he  commenced  that splendid  career, which  continued,  for  so  long  a period,  the  admiration  and  the  glory  of  Europe.”

The excerpt comes from an Introduction to the Elements of Algebra written by Euler (1707 -1783) when he was already blind.  The book of unsurpassable clarity it can be used as an introduction to algebra nowadays just as it was more than two centuries ago. For an extended read exploring the book I would direct you to “A tale of two curricula: Euler's algebra text book” by Chris Sangwin

Image :Leonhard Euler, engraving See page for author, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons