Vieta
VIETA (or VIETE), FRANCOIS, SEIGNEUR DE LA BIGOTIERE (1540-1603), more generally known as FRANCISCUS VIETA, French mathematician, was bom in 1540 at Fontenay-le-Comte, in Poitou. According to F. Ritter, 1 Vieta was brought up as a Catholic, and died in the same creed; but there can be no doubt that he belonged to the Huguenots for several years. On the completion of his studies in Ia.w at Poitiers Vieta began his career as an advocate in his native town. This he left about 1567, and somewhat later we find him at Rennes as a councillor of the parlemenc of Brittany. The religious troubles drove him thence, and Rohan, the well-known chief of the Huguenots, took him under his special protection. He recommended him in 1580 as a " maStre des requetes " (master of requests); and Henry of Navarre, at the instance of Rohan, addressed two letters to Henry III. of France on the 3rd of March and the 26th of April 1585, to obtain Vieta's restoration to his former office, but without result. After the accession of Henry of Navarre to the throne of France, Vieta filled in 1589 the position of councillor of the parlement at Tours. He afterwards became a royal privy councillor, and remained so till his death, which took place suddenly at Paris in February 1603, but in what manner we do not know; Anderson, the editor of his scientific writings, speaks only of a " praeceps et immaturum autoris fatum."
1 Bollelino Boncompagni (Rome, 1868), vol. i. p. 227, n. I.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
