Ernst Eduard Kummer was a German mathematician born on January 29, 1810, in Hamburg. He is best known for his work in number theory and algebra, particularly for developing the concept of Kummer's theory of ideal numbers. This theory helped to advance the understanding of algebraic integers and laid the groundwork for later developments in algebraic number theory. Kummer held a professorship at the University of Berlin and contributed significantly to the field of mathematics during the 19th century. His research also included work on elliptic functions and hypergeometric series, which further enriched the mathematical landscape of his time. Kummer passed away on May 14, 1893.