The Resume

(September 18, 1752-January 9, 1833)
Born in Paris, France
Contributed to elliptic functions and number theory
Developed the least squares method of regression analysis
Wrote ‘Elements of Geometry’ (1794), ‘New Methods for the Determination of Comet Orbits’ (1806), and ‘Exercises in Integral Calculus’ (three volume, 1811-17)
Namesake for Legendre polynomials and the Legendre transformation

Why he might be annoying:

He feuded with Carl Gauss over who first came up with the least squares method.
He made several unsuccessful attempts to prove the parallel postulate (only one line parallel to another line can be drawn through a given point), and refused to accept the development of non-Euclidean geometry by Nikolai Lobachevsky.
The only portrait of him made during his lifetime is a caricature (one of a series of members of the Institut de France by artist Julien-Leopold Boilly).
Until the rediscovery of Boilly’s drawing in 2005, articles about him were ususally illustrated with a portrait of Louis Legendre, an obscure politician who was no relation.

Why he might not be annoying:

He was part of the committee that developed the metric system.
His ‘Elements of Geometry,’ which rearranged and simplified Euclid’s ‘Elements,’ became a standard textbook for a century.
He was made an officer of the Legion of Honor (1831).

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• An Asteroid was Named in My Honor (Ranked: 26950)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 76]
• I am a Citizen of France
• I Died in the City I Was Born In
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• Profiles 46751-47000 (Ranked: 46845)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 15 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying