The SS Himalaya carried the young Alfred van der Poorten to Sydney in 1951, marking a migration that eventually placed him at the centre of Australian number theory. Born in Amsterdam in 1942, his life began amidst the upheaval of German occupation before he became a defining figure in academic mathematics, research administration, and expository writing.
Academic Formation and Early Leadership
After completing his secondary education at Sydney Boys High School, van der Poorten entered the University of New South Wales. He secured a bachelor's degree in 1965 and completed his doctorate in 1968 under the supervision of Kurt Mahler and George Szekeres. During his time as a student, he balanced his rigorous mathematical training with active participation in university governance, serving as president of the University Union and leading several Zionist student groups. He also managed the university's cooperative bookstore, a role that brought him into contact with Joy FitzRoy, whom he married in 1972.
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Upon finishing his studies in 1969, he joined the faculty of the University of New South Wales as a lecturer in pure mathematics, climbing to the rank of associate professor by 1976. In 1979, he transitioned to Macquarie University to serve as a professor and head of the School of Mathematics, Physics, Computing and Electronics. His administrative commitments included overseeing the Centre for Number Theory Research, which he directed from 1991 until his retirement in 2002. Throughout this period, he maintained a high output of academic work and professional service.
Mathematical Contributions and Recognition
His research portfolio comprised approximately 180 publications covering topics such as continued fractions, elliptic curves, Baker’s theorem, and transcendental numbers. Beyond original research—notably his 1988 resolution of the Pisot conjecture regarding Hadamard quotients—he was valued for his ability to synthesize complex developments for the broader mathematical community, such as his analysis of Apéry’s theorem on the irrationality of the Riemann zeta function. His professional impact was acknowledged through the 2002 George Szekeres Medal and his appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004.
Broader Interests
Outside of his primary field, van der Poorten was a consistent presence in science fiction fandom. Beginning in the mid-1960s, he participated in the Sydney Science Fiction Foundation and attended major conventions, including the 57th World Science Fiction Convention in 1999. His activities in this sphere earned him a reputation among his peers as one of the so-called terrible twins of the Sydney scene, demonstrating a dual life that spanned both abstract mathematical inquiry and active community engagement.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Amsterdam
- Died: 2010
- Education: University of New South Wales
- Primary Field: Number Theory
- Key Award: George Szekeres Medal, 2002
- Recognition: Member of the Order of Australia, 2004
- Citizenship: Australia
- Spouse: Joy FitzRoy
Questions readers ask
What were van der Poorten's major mathematical research areas?
He focused on number theory, specifically contributing to studies on Baker's theorem, elliptic curves, transcendental numbers, and the integer sequences derived from recurrence relations.
Which universities employed him?
He served on the faculties of both the University of New South Wales and Macquarie University throughout his career.
Achievements
- George Szekeres Medal — 2002
- Member of the Order of Australia — 2004
- Held posts at Macquarie University and University of New South Wales
- Fields: number theory
