In 1742, Anders Celsius defined the temperature scale degree-centigrade which was later named after him. He fixed the boiling point of water at 0 degree and the freezing point at 100 degree. These fixpoints were switched later.• The Swedish physician, mathematician and astronomer was interested in mathematic since childhood.

His father Nils was a professor of astronomy. And even his grandfathers were scholars. Magnus Celsius was a mathematician und Anders Spole was an astronomer.

Celsius died at the age of only 42 in the middle of his work and only two years after fixing his temperature scale because of tuberculosis.