Hermann Hankel was a notable German mathematician born on March 24, 1839, in Dresden. He is best known for his contributions to the fields of algebra and number theory. Hankel's work included the study of continued fractions and orthogonal polynomials, which have important applications in various areas of mathematics. In addition to his research, Hankel was also an influential educator. He served as a professor at the University of Berlin and later at the University of Göttingen. His teaching and writings helped shape the understanding of mathematical concepts during the 19th century, leaving a lasting impact on future generations of mathematicians.