Jean-Nicolas Noël
Jean-Nicolas Noël was 52 years old when he was called upon to teach mathematics at the University of Liège, after a career in secondary education, where he made a name for himself through his skills as rector for the 1842-1843 academic year.
Born in Dombrot (Vosges) in 1783, Jean-Nicolas Noël began his studies at the École Centrale de Nancy, before running his village school and joining the land registry as a surveyor. Appointed master of studies and mathematics tutor at the Lycée de Nancy in 1804, he was then appointed to the mathematics chair at the Collège de Phalsbourg. He obtained his bachelor of science degree in 1810. In 1819, he became professor at the Athénée de Luxembourg, where he set about reforming the teaching of physics and mathematics.
His reputation led him to be asked to teach elementary mathematics and high algebra at the University of Liège (1835). Rector from 1842 to 1843, he was granted emeritus status at his own request in 1849, but continued to teach algebra until 1852. He died in 1867, leaving numerous textbooks on arithmetic, algebra and elementary geometry for primary and secondary school teachers, as well as an abundant scientific output for specialists.
Depuis plusieurs années, le nombre des élèves de notre Université va en croissant [442 en 1842-1843 …] Cette augmentation constante […] prouve déjà, Messieurs, que le public apprécie chaque jour davantage les ressources multipliées qu’offre l’Université, soit aux jeunes gens qui la fréquentent dans le but de se créer une carrière, soit aux hommes studieux qui ne viennent y chercher que de nouveaux aliments pour l’activité de leur intelligence.
