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Niels Abel was born 224 years ago, on August 5, 1802. At just 21, he proved that no general algebraic formula can solve equations of degree 5, a problem that had challenged mathematicians for roughly 250 years.

Short on money, Abel paid the printer himself and condensed his proof into just six pages to keep costs down. He sent a copy to Gauss, but never received a response.

Abel died of tuberculosis at just 26. Two days later, a letter arrived announcing that he had been appointed professor in Berlin.

A breakthrough recognized too late.

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Short on money, Abel paid the printer himself and condensed his proof into just six pages to keep costs down. He sent a copy to Gauss, but never received a response.

Abel died of tuberculosis at just 26. Two days later, a letter arrived announcing that he had been appointed professor in Berlin.

A breakthrough recognized too late.