Oswald Veblen

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Oswald Veblen (24 June 1880 in Decorah, Iowa - 10 August 1960) was an American mathematician, geometer and topologist, whose work found application in atomic physics and the theory of relativity. He proved the Jordan curve theorem in 1905.

[edit] Life

He went to school in Iowa City. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, where he received an A.B. in 1898, and Harvard University, where he was awarded a second B.A. in 1900. For his graduate studies, he went to study mathematics at the University of Chicago, where he obtained a Ph.D. in 1903. His thesis, A system of axioms for geometry was written under the supervision of E. H. Moore.

Veblen taught mathematics at Princeton University from 1905 to 1932. In 1926, he was named Henry B. Fine Professor of Mathematics. In 1932, he helped organize the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, resigning his professorship to become the first professor at the Institute that same year. He kept his professorship at the Institute until he was made emeritus in 1950.

Veblen died in Brooklin, Maine in 1960 at age 80. After his death the American Mathematical Society created an award in his name, called the Oswald Veblen Prize in Geometry. It is awarded every three years, and is the most prestigious award in recognition of outstanding research in geometry.

[edit] Accomplishments

During his career, Veblen made important contributions in topology and in projective and differential geometries, including results important in modern physics. He was involved in overseeing the World War II work that produced the pioneering ENIAC electronic digital computer.

[edit] External links

Academic Genealogy
Notable teachers Notable students
Eliakim Hastings Moore J. W. Alexander
Henry R. Brahana
Alonzo Church
Philip Franklin
Howard H. Mitchell
Robert Lee Moore
J. H. C. Whitehead
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