Alfred van der Poorten belongs to the mathematical record as a figure whose results outlasted the problems that prompted them.
The record lists Alfred van der Poorten as Dutch-Australian mathematician.
Alfred van der Poorten was born at Amsterdam in 1942. His recorded nationality is Australia. He studied at University of New South Wales.
Twentieth-century mathematics became abstract and highly specialised, and its methods reached into physics, economics and computing.
His academic posts were held at Macquarie University and University of New South Wales.
The recorded fields of work are number theory.
Mathematics is the one discipline whose results, once proved, are never overturned.
Recognition followed: George Szekeres Medal (2002) and Member of the Order of Australia (2004).
That the work was done from Australia matters: mathematical training, institutions and the language of publication have never been evenly distributed.
Alfred van der Poorten died in 2010, aged 68. The proofs remain, and a proof does not decay - which is the particular permanence mathematics offers.
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
