Charles Hermite was a French mathematician born on December 24, 1822, and he is best known for his contributions to algebra, number theory, and analysis. He made significant advancements in the theory of elliptic functions and was one of the first to prove the transcendence of certain numbers, including e, the base of natural logarithms. Hermite's work laid the foundation for many modern mathematical concepts and he is recognized for his contributions to matrix theory and differential equations. He was also a professor at the University of Paris and a member of the French Academy of Sciences, influencing future generations of mathematicians.