Fritz David Carlson, born in Vimmerby on 23 July 1888, spent his career advancing mathematical analysis within the Swedish academic system. He completed his secondary schooling in Linköping in 1907 before pursuing advanced studies, ultimately earning his doctorate from Uppsala University in 1914 with a dissertation concerning a specific class of Taylor series.
Academic Appointments
Carlson held two primary teaching roles in Stockholm. In 1920, he secured a professorship in descriptive geometry at the Royal Institute of Technology. By 1928, he transitioned to the Stockholm College of Advanced Studies, where he occupied the chair of higher analysis. Throughout his career, he influenced several students, including Germund Dahlquist, Tord Ganelius, Olof Hanner, and Hans Rådström. Beyond his university duties, he served for three decades as an examiner for the Swedish secondary-school baccalaureate examination.
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His research focused on the arithmetic properties of power series, Dirichlet series, and the Riemann zeta function. His output included several standard results, specifically Carlson’s theorem, the zero-density theorem regarding the zeros of the Riemann zeta function, and the Pólya–Carlson theorem on rational functions. He also developed the inequality bearing his name, which relates the sum of absolute values to their squares and weighted squares.
Administrative and Editorial Service
Starting in 1930, Carlson served on the editorial board of the journal Acta Mathematica. Following the death of Torsten Carleman in 1949, Carlson assumed responsibility for the administration of the Mittag-Leffler Institute located in Djursholm. He was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, maintaining his professional activities within Sweden until his death in Stockholm on 28 November 1952.
Fast facts
- Born: 23 July 1888, Vimmerby
- Died: 28 November 1952, Stockholm
- Doctorate: Uppsala University, 1914
- Primary Field: Mathematical analysis
- Member: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- Known students: Germund Dahlquist, Tord Ganelius, Olof Hanner, Hans Rådström
Questions readers ask
Which major institution did Carlson lead?
He managed the Mittag-Leffler Institute in Djursholm starting in 1949.
What subjects did his textbook series cover?
Achievements
- Held posts at Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm University
- Fields: mathematical analysis
