Person: Sinan, Abu ibn Thabit ibn Qurra
Sinan ibn Thabit was the son and father of other Islamic mathematicians. He is more important for his contributions to medicine than to mathematics.
Mathematical Profile (Excerpt):
- Of course being worshipers of the stars meant that there was strong motivation for the study of astronomy and the sect produced many quality astronomers and mathematicians such as Thabit himself.
- Historians argue whether al-Mu'tadid was poisoned in a palace intrigue, but even if he was not this is an indication of the atmosphere in the court where Sinan lived.
- By this time Sinan was a man of about 22 years of age but, despite having great medical skills, he seems to have held no positions at this time.
- He ruled until 908 and Sinan certainly enjoyed a period of great cultural activity in Baghdad which was home to many intellectuals.
- He was a weak leader but his coming to power saw Sinan achieve his first major position in which he directed the hospitals and all medical activities in Baghdad.
- Although the government in Baghdad slowly lost control, Sinan achieved the respect of all the factions.
- Sinan faced a totally different type of regime, for al-Qahir persecuted the Sabians.
- Sinan tried to preserve his position by becoming Muslim but this was not sufficient to allow him to continue in Baghdad and he fled to Khurasan.
- Sinan left Baghdad again to move this time to Wasit on the Tigris.
- Despite his high profile medical career, Sinan seems not to have written any works on medicine.
Born about 880. Died 943, Baghdad, (now in Iraq).
View full biography at MacTutor
Tags relevant for this person:
Ancient Arab, Astronomy, Origin Iraq
Thank you to the contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0! 
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- non-Github:
- @J-J-O'Connor
- @E-F-Robertson
References
Adapted from other CC BY-SA 4.0 Sources:
- O’Connor, John J; Robertson, Edmund F: MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive
