Fascinating mathematical people : interviews and memoirs
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Bibliographic Information
Fascinating mathematical people : interviews and memoirs
Princeton University Press, c2011
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Includes index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
Fascinating Mathematical People is a collection of informal interviews and memoirs of sixteen prominent members of the mathematical community of the twentieth century, many still active. The candid portraits collected here demonstrate that while these men and women vary widely in terms of their backgrounds, life stories, and worldviews, they all share a deep and abiding sense of wonder about mathematics. Featured here--in their own words--are major research mathematicians whose cutting-edge discoveries have advanced the frontiers of the field, such as Lars Ahlfors, Mary Cartwright, Dusa McDuff, and Atle Selberg. Others are leading mathematicians who have also been highly influential as teachers and mentors, like Tom Apostol and Jean Taylor. Fern Hunt describes what it was like to be among the first black women to earn a PhD in mathematics. Harold Bacon made trips to Alcatraz to help a prisoner learn calculus. Thomas Banchoff, who first became interested in the fourth dimension while reading a Captain Marvel comic, relates his fascinating friendship with Salvador Dali and their shared passion for art, mathematics, and the profound connection between the two.
Other mathematical people found here are Leon Bankoff, who was also a Beverly Hills dentist; Arthur Benjamin, a part-time professional magician; and Joseph Gallian, a legendary mentor of future mathematicians, but also a world-renowned expert on the Beatles. This beautifully illustrated collection includes many photographs never before published, concise introductions by the editors to each person, and a foreword by Philip J. Davis.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Philip J. Davis vii Preface ix Acknowledgments xiii Sources xv One: Lars V. Ahlfors 1 Two: Tom Apostol 17 Three: Harold M. Bacon 43 Four: Tom Banchoff 52 Five: Leon Bankoff 79 Six: Alice Beckenbach 96 Seven: Arthur Benjamin 107 Eight: Dame Mary L. Cartwright 129 Nine: Joe Gallian 146 Ten: Richard K. Guy 165 Eleven: Fern Hunt 193 Twelve: Dusa McDuff 215 Thirteen: Donald G. Saari 240 Fourteen: Atle Selberg 254 Fifteen: Jean Taylor 274 Sixteen: Philippe Tondeur 294 Biographical Notes 319 Glossary 321 Index 325
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