Which of the following famous mathematicians died in a duel at the age of 20?

The story behind the answer

Évariste Galois is the correct answer: he died at age 20 in 1832 from wounds sustained in a duel. In contrast, Euler and Gauss lived into their 70s, and Abel died at 26 of illness.

Despite his short life, Galois revolutionized algebra by linking polynomial equations to the symmetries of their roots—founding Galois theory and the modern concept of a “group.” The night before the duel, he famously wrote letters summarizing his breakthroughs, which were published posthumously by Joseph Liouville. Memory tip: Galois = Groups + Gallant (duel) + Gone at 20.