Alexander Grothendieck
- Born:
- 28 March 1928, Berlin, Germany
- Died:
- 13 November 2014, Saint-Lizier, France
- Nationality:
- Stateless (formerly German, then French)
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Born to anarchist parents.
- Spent early childhood in Germany and France.
- During World War II, sheltered in France, at times separated from his parents.
- Studied mathematics at the University of Montpellier.
- Began research at the University of Nancy, initially focusing on functional analysis.
Career and Major Achievements
- Revolutionized algebraic geometry.
- Introduced the concept of schemes, a foundational building block in modern algebraic geometry.
- Developed K-theory.
- Made significant contributions to homological algebra.
- Founded the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHÉS) in 1958, but later resigned.
- Pioneered the concept of motives.
- Known for his abstract and highly conceptual approach to mathematics.
- He avoided working on problems where computer calculations seemed to be helpful.
Notable Works
- Éléments de géométrie algébrique (EGA) - a comprehensive treatise on algebraic geometry.
- Séminaire de Géométrie Algébrique du Bois Marie (SGA) - a series of influential seminar proceedings.
- Récoltes et Semailles - an autobiographical reflection on his mathematical journey and worldview.
Legacy and Impact
Alexander Grothendieck is considered one of the most important mathematicians of the 20th century. His work has profoundly influenced algebraic geometry, number theory, and related fields. The legacy of Grothendieck geometric equations worksheets can be found in countless courses and research papers on modern number theory and geometry. His highly abstract and conceptual approach transformed the landscape of mathematics, leaving an indelible mark on future generations of mathematicians.