Mathematician for All Seasons: Recollections and Notes Vol. 1 (1887-1945) (Vita Mathematica Book 18)

This book presents, in his own words, the life of Hugo Steinhaus (1887–1972), noted Polish mathematician of Jewish background, educator, and mathematical popularizer. A student of Hilbert, a pioneer of the foundations of probability and game theory, and a contributor to the development of functional analysis, he was one of those instrumental to the extraordinary flowering of Polish mathematics before and after World War I. In particular, it was he who “discovered” the great Stefan Banach. Exhibiting his great integrity and wit, Steinhaus’s personal story of the turbulent times he survived – including two world wars and life postwar under the Soviet heel – cannot but be of consuming interest. His account of the years spent evading Nazi terror is especially moving. The steadfast honesty and natural dignity he maintained while pursuing a life of demanding scientific and intellectual enquiry in the face of encroaching calamity and chaos show him to be truly a mathematician for all seasons. The present work will be of great interest not only to mathematicians wanting to learn some of the details of the mathematical blossoming that occurred in Poland in the first half of the 20 th century, but also to anyone wishing to read a first-hand account of the history of those unquiet times in Europe – and indeed world-wide – by someone of uncommon intelligence and forthrightness situated near an eye of the storm. This book presents, in his own words, the life of Hugo Steinhaus (1887@0394@03BC1972), noted Polish mathematician of Jewish background, educator, and mathematical popularizer. A student of Hilbert, a pioneer of the foundations of probability and game theory, and a contributor to the development of functional analysis, he was one of those instrumental to the extraordinary flowering of Polish mathematics before and after World War I. In particular, it was he who @0394@03C6discovered@0394@03C7 the great Stefan Banach. Exhibiting his great integrity and wit, Steinhaus@0394@03C3s personal story of the turbulent times he survived @0394@03BC including two world wars and life postwar under the Soviet heel @0394@03BC cannot but be of consuming interest. His recounting of the fearful years spent evading Nazi terror is especially moving. The steadfast honesty and natural dignity he maintained while pursuing a life of demanding scientific and intellectual enquiry in the face of encroaching calamity and chaos show him to be truly a mathematician for all seasons. The present work will be of great interest not only to mathematicians wanting to learn some of the details of the mathematical blossoming that occurred in Poland in the first half of the 20th century, but also to anyone wishing to read a first-hand account of the history of those unquiet times in Europe @0394@03BC and indeed world-wide @0394@03BC by someone of uncommon intelligence and forthrightness situated near an eye of the storm This book presents, in his own words, the life of Hugo Steinhaus (1887-1972), noted Polish mathematician of Jewish background, educator, and mathematical popularizer. A student of Hilbert, a pioneer of the foundations of probability and game theory, and a contributor to the development of functional analysis, he was one of those instrumental to the extraordinary flowering of Polish mathematics before and after World War I. In particular, it was he who zdiscoveredy the great Stefan Banach. Exhibiting his great integrity and wit, Steinhaus's personal story of the turbulent times he survived - including two world wars and life postwar under the Soviet heel - cannot but be of consuming interest. His recounting of the fearful years spent evading Nazi terror is especially moving. The steadfast honesty and natural dignity he maintained while pursuing a life of demanding scientific and intellectual enquiry in the face of encroaching calamity and chaos show him to be truly a mathematician for all seasons. The present work will be of great interest not only to mathematicians wanting to learn some of the details of the mathematical blossoming that occurred in Poland in the first half of the 20th century, but also to anyone wishing to read a first-hand account of the history of those unquiet times in Europe - and indeed world-wide - by someone of uncommon intelligence and forthrightness situated near an eye of the storm Front Matter....Pages i-xv Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Jasło....Pages 3-20 The Gymnasium....Pages 21-42 In the Capital Lwów....Pages 43-50 Göttingen....Pages 51-90 The Return Home....Pages 91-104 The Life of a Private Scholar....Pages 105-125 Front Matter....Pages 127-127 In the University Town Lwów....Pages 129-228 The First Occupation....Pages 229-285 The Second Occupation....Pages 287-294 Homeless Wandering....Pages 295-313 Osiczyna....Pages 315-333 Stróże....Pages 335-383 Diary Entries....Pages 385-465 Back Matter....Pages 467-491 Volume 1. 1887-1945 - Volume 2. 1945-1968. Hugo Steinhaus ; Translated By Abe Shenitzer ; Edited By Robert G. Burns, Irena Szymaniec And Aleksander Weron. Autobiography. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.