William Shanks

William Shanks, born on January 25, 1812, was an English amateur mathematician renowned for his remarkable contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the calculation of π.

In 1873, Shanks achieved the extraordinary feat of calculating π to seven hundred and seven decimal places. His work was celebrated for its accuracy, as it remained correct up to the first five hundred and twenty-seven decimal places. This accomplishment stood as a testament to his dedication and skill in mathematics.

Despite the eventual discovery of an error in his calculations by D. F. Ferguson in 1944, Shanks's approximation held the record for the longest expansion of π until the rise of digital electronic computers in the 1940s. His legacy endures as a significant milestone in the history of mathematical computation.