Blaise Pascal

June 19, 1623 – August 19, 1662

Mathematician, Physicist & Philosopher

Devoted his genius to defending the faith after his Night of Fire

Biography

French mathematician, physicist, inventor, and philosopher. Made foundational contributions to probability theory, projective geometry, and the development of the mechanical calculator.

Faith & Testimony

After a mystical experience on November 23, 1654 (his 'Night of Fire'), Pascal devoted his life to defending Christianity. His 'Pensées' remains one of the most eloquent defenses of the Christian faith ever written. He is the author of 'Pascal's Wager.'

Sources

Blaise Pascal — Wikipedia — Biography including his 'Night of Fire' conversion experience
Pensées — Wikipedia — His famous unfinished defense of the Christian faith
Pascal's Wager — Wikipedia — His famous philosophical argument for belief in God
Pensées — Blaise Pascal — Pascal's famous unfinished defense of Christianity, containing the 'Memorial' of his conversion experience and the celebrated 'Pascal's Wager'
The Provincial Letters — Blaise Pascal — Pascal's witty and incisive letters defending Jansenist theology against the Jesuits — a landmark of French prose and Christian polemic