Erich Bessel-Hagen is remembered in mathematics for work the next generation could build on.
The record lists Erich Bessel-Hagen as German mathematician and historian of mathematics (1898–1946).
Erich Bessel-Hagen was born at Charlottenburg in 1898. His recorded nationality is Germany. He studied at Frederick William University Berlin and Ludwig Cauer primary school.
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 University of Göttingen, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University of Bonn.
Mathematics accumulates without discarding: a proof from two thousand years ago is still a proof.
That the work was done from Germany matters: mathematical training, institutions and the language of publication have never been evenly distributed.
Erich Bessel-Hagen died in 1946, aged 48. The proofs remain, and a proof does not decay - which is the particular permanence mathematics offers.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Göttingen, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg and University of Bonn
