Jacob Bernoulli was a Swiss mathematician born in 1654, known for his significant contributions to probability and calculus. He is best recognized for his work on the Bernoulli numbers and the law of large numbers, which laid the foundation for modern statistics. His ideas helped shape the way we understand randomness and uncertainty in various fields. In addition to his work in probability, Bernoulli made advancements in calculus and mathematical analysis. He was part of the famous Bernoulli family, which included other notable mathematicians like his brother Johann Bernoulli. Jacob's legacy continues to influence mathematics and science today.