Fascinating Mathematical People

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

Donald J. Albers is senior acquisitions editor at the Mathematical Association of America. Gerald L. Alexanderson is the Michael and Elizabeth Valeriote Professor of Science at Santa Clara University. They are the editors of "Mathematical People: Profiles and Interviews" and "More Mathematical People: Contemporary Conversations."

Winner of the 2012 Book Merit Award in the Professional, Reference category, New York Book Show "What do a Beatles expert, a professional magician and a Los Angeles dentist have in common? If they're Joseph Gallian, Arthur Benjamin and Leon Bankoff, it's mathematics. The words of these and other researchers, mentors and teachers in the maths community feature in this compilation by educator Donald Albers and mathematician Gerald Alexanderson. There is much to relish in these accounts--not least geometer Thomas Banchoff's friendship with Salvador Dal?, who explored the nexus of atomic science, maths and art late in life."--Nature "Albers and Alexanderson pick up where they left off from their earlier books, Mathematical People and More Mathematical People, with profiles of 16 unique individuals involved in all areas of mathematics teaching and research... A handy way to learn about contemporary mathematic ideas and interrelated areas of research, the book seems more like a dinner party filled with intriguing personalities than a textbook... Strongly recommended for readers interested in mathematics and anyone wanting to understand the creative process."--Elizabeth Brown, Library Journal (starred review) "A beautifully illustrated collection of interviews and biographical etudes of 16 mathematicians of different backgrounds, varied professional interests, diverse level of achievement--all incredibly interesting as human beings... [A]n awfully good and entertaining read."--Alexander Bogomolny, CTK Insights "This book is an assortment of interviews and memoirs of 16 contemporary mathematicians with a variety of backgrounds. The volume includes some unique, never-published photographs of the mathematicians--at work and/or with their families--that add a nice personal touch. As this reviewer read about these individuals, she found herself wanting to know more about them, and even considering inviting one to be a guest speaker at a math club meeting... [Fascinating