Gauss was director of the Göttingen Observatory in Germany and professor of astronomy from 1807 until his death in 1855. From an early age, Gauss was known as a child prodigy in mathematics. While studying at the University of Göttingen, he propounded several mathematical theorems.
Gauss is generally regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time for his contributions to number theory, geometry, probability theory, geodesy, planetary astronomy, the theory of functions, and potential theory (including electromagnetism).
Carl Friedrich Gauss worked in a wide variety of fields in both mathematics and physics incuding number theory, analysis, differential geometry, geodesy, magnetism, astronomy and optics. His work has had an immense influence in many areas.
Gauss was a deeply religious man with strong convictions, but was tolerant of those with other views. His spiritual intuitions sprung from his love of truth and righteousness.