David Hilbert
- Born:
- January 23, 1862, Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia)
- Died:
- February 14, 1943, Göttingen, Germany
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician, Logician
Early Life and Education
- Studied at the University of Königsberg, earning a doctorate in 1885.
- Became a Privatdozent at Königsberg in 1886.
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor at the University of Göttingen from 1895 until his retirement.
- Made significant contributions to a wide range of mathematical areas, including invariant theory, axiomatic geometry, and functional analysis.
- Formulated Hilbert's Problems, a list of 23 unsolved problems in mathematics, presented at the International Congress of Mathematicians in 1900.
- Developed the formalist program, a foundational approach to mathematics.
Legacy and Impact
David Hilbert was one of the most influential mathematicians of the 20th century. His work had a profound impact on the development of modern mathematics and theoretical physics. The book Hilbert by Constance Reid provides a comprehensive biography of his life and work. He is considered among history's most important contributors to the field.
Notable Works
- Grundlagen der Geometrie (Foundations of Geometry, 1899)
- Mathematical Problems (1900)
- Grundzüge der theoretischen Logik (Principles of Mathematical Logic, 1928) with Wilhelm Ackermann
Alan Turing
- Born:
- June 23, 1912, Maida Vale, London, England
- Died:
- June 7, 1954, Wilmslow, Cheshire, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician, Computer Scientist, Logician, Cryptanalyst
Early Life and Education
- Educated at Sherborne School and King's College, Cambridge.
- Received a Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1938.
Career and Major Achievements
- Developed the concept of the Turing machine, a theoretical model of computation.
- Played a crucial role in breaking German Enigma codes at Bletchley Park during World War II.
- Made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence.
Legacy and Impact
Alan Turing is widely considered the father of theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence. His work laid the foundation for modern computing. The book Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges is a definitive biography. He is a pivotal figure in the history of the field.
Notable Works
- "On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem" (1936)
- Computing Machinery and Intelligence (1950)
Paul Erdős
- Born:
- March 26, 1913, Budapest, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary)
- Died:
- September 20, 1996, Warsaw, Poland
- Nationality:
- Hungarian
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Received a doctorate from the University of Budapest in 1934.
Career and Major Achievements
- Known for his prolific output and collaborative work, Erdős published around 1,500 mathematical papers.
- Made significant contributions to number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, and probability theory.
- Traveled extensively, collaborating with mathematicians around the world.
Legacy and Impact
Paul Erdős was one of the most prolific and influential mathematicians of the 20th century, known for his eccentric lifestyle and his profound contributions to many fields of mathematics. The book The Man Who Loved Only Numbers by Paul Hoffman provides a captivating biography of his unique life and work.
Notable Works
- Contributions to number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, and probability theory. (Numerous papers and collaborations.)
Emmy Noether
- Born:
- March 23, 1882, Erlangen, Germany
- Died:
- April 14, 1935, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality:
- German
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician, Physicist
Early Life and Education
- Initially certified to teach French and English.
- Studied mathematics at the University of Erlangen, receiving her doctorate in 1907.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked at the University of Göttingen, initially without pay, eventually becoming a lecturer.
- Developed Noether's theorem, a fundamental result in theoretical physics connecting symmetry and conservation laws.
- Made significant contributions to abstract algebra, particularly in the study of rings, fields, and ideals.
Legacy and Impact
Emmy Noether was one of the most important mathematicians of the 20th century, whose work had a profound impact on both mathematics and physics. Her contributions revolutionized abstract algebra and provided crucial insights into the foundations of physics. The book Emmy Noether: The Mother of Modern Algebra by M. B. W. Tent offers a detailed biography of her life and achievements. Her influence is still felt in mathematical and physics research today.
Notable Works
- Noether's Theorem
- Contributions to abstract algebra, particularly ring theory and ideal theory.
Srinivasa Ramanujan
- Born:
- December 22, 1887, Erode, Madras Presidency, British India (now Tamil Nadu, India)
- Died:
- April 26, 1920, Kumbakonam, Madras Presidency, British India (now Tamil Nadu, India)
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Largely self-taught in mathematics.
- Gained recognition for his mathematical abilities at a young age.
Career and Major Achievements
- Invited to Cambridge University by G.H. Hardy in 1914.
- Made significant contributions to number theory, infinite series, and mathematical analysis.
- Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918.
Legacy and Impact
Srinivasa Ramanujan was an extraordinary mathematician whose innate genius and remarkable discoveries continue to inspire mathematicians today. Despite his short life, his work has had a lasting impact on number theory and other areas of mathematics. The book The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan by Robert Kanigel presents a compelling biography of his life and mathematical journey. He left behind a wealth of mathematical results that continue to be studied and expanded upon.
Notable Works
- Contributions to number theory, infinite series, mock theta functions, and mathematical analysis.