Fourier, Joseph (1768-1830)"French mathematician who discovered that any periodic motion can be written as a superposition of sinusoidal and cosinusoidal vibrations. He developed a mathematical theory of heat, discussing it in terms of differential equations. [...] Fourier was a friend and advisor of Napoleon. Fourier believed that his health would be improved by wrapping himself up in blankets, and in this state he tripped down the stairs in his house and killed himself." [source]
