Gaston Julia - Military Service

Military Service

Julia was born in the Algerian town of Sidi Bel Abbes, at the time governed by the French. During his youth, he had an interest in mathematics and music. His studies were interrupted at the age of 21 years old, when France became involved with World War I and he was conscripted to serve with the army. During an attack he suffered a severe injury, losing his nose. His many operations to remedy the situation were all unsuccessful, and for the rest of his life he resigned himself to wearing a leather strap around the area where his nose had been.

Read more about this topic:  Gaston Julia

Famous quotes containing the words military and/or service:

    “My faith is the grand drama of my life. I’m a believer, so I sing words of God to those who have no faith. I give bird songs to those who dwell in cities and have never heard them, make rhythms for those who know only military marches or jazz, and paint colours for those who see none.”
    —Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)

    “Books can only reveal us to ourselves, and as often as they do us this service we lay them aside.”
    —Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)