In the history of mathematics, Carl Ludwig Siegel is one of the names that keeps returning.
The record lists Carl Ludwig Siegel as German mathematician (1896-1981).
Carl Ludwig Siegel was born at Berlin in 1896. His recorded nationality is Germany. He studied at University of Göttingen and Frederick William University Berlin.
Around the turn of the twentieth century the foundations of mathematics were under open attack, and set theory and logic became urgent questions.
His academic posts were held at Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Göttingen and University of Göttingen.
The recorded fields of work are number theory, mathematics and function theory.
Among his principal contributions are Brauer–Siegel theorem, Siegel–Walfisz theorem and Thue–Siegel–Roth theorem. Mathematical work is judged by whether anyone can build on it, and that judgement takes decades.
Recognition followed: Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1964) and Wolf Prize in Mathematics (1978).
That the work was done from Germany matters: mathematical training, institutions and the language of publication have never been evenly distributed.
Carl Ludwig Siegel died in 1981, aged 85. The proofs remain, and a proof does not decay - which is the particular permanence mathematics offers.
Achievements
- Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany — 1964
- Wolf Prize in Mathematics — 1978
- Notable work: Brauer–Siegel theorem
- Notable work: Siegel–Walfisz theorem
- Notable work: Thue–Siegel–Roth theorem
- Notable work: Siegel's theorem on integral points
- Held posts at Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Göttingen and University of Göttingen
- Fields: number theory, mathematics and function theory
