This book traces the life of Cholesky (1875-1918), and gives his family
history. After an introduction to topography, an English translation of
an unpublished paper by him where he explained his method for linear
systems is given, studied and replaced in its historical context. His
other works, including two books, are also described as well as his
involvement in teaching at a superior school by correspondence. The
story of this school and its founder, Léon Eyrolles, are addressed.
Then, an important unpublished book of Cholesky on graphical calculation
is analyzed in detail and compared to similar contemporary publications.
The biography of Ernest Benoit, who wrote the first paper where
Cholesky´s method is explained, is provided. Various documents,
highlighting the life and the personality of Cholesky, end the book.