The 1913 publication of the paper "Outline of a Generalized Theory of Relativity and of a Theory of Gravitation" fundamentally altered physics, marking a critical juncture where the mathematical rigour of Marcel Grossmann provided the essential framework for Albert Einstein’s developing gravitational theory. Grossmann served as the bridge between theoretical concepts and the geometric tools required for completion.
Academic Formation and Early Research
Born in Budapest in 1878 to a Jewish family, Marcel Grossmann eventually settled in Switzerland. His education took him through the Berzsenyi Dániel Secondary School before he enrolled at the Federal Polytechnic School, known today as ETH Zurich, from 1896 to 1900. After graduating, he served as an assistant to the geometer Wilhelm Fiedler. In 1902, he completed his doctorate at the University of Zurich with a thesis titled Ueber die metrischen Eigenschaften kollinearer Gebilde. He spent the following seven years teaching in high schools and conducting research into non-Euclidean geometry.
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In 1907, Grossmann attained the position of full professor of descriptive geometry at the Federal Polytechnic School. His commitment to education extended beyond the classroom as he organized summer training sessions for secondary school teachers. In 1910, he participated in the founding of the Swiss Mathematical Society. His prominence in the field led to invitations as a speaker at major gatherings in Cambridge in 1912 and Strasbourg in 1920.
Collaborating with Albert Einstein
The professional partnership between Grossmann and Albert Einstein began during their student years in Zurich, where Grossmann’s meticulous lecture notes frequently assisted Einstein. Their connection facilitated Einstein’s career transitions, including securing a role at the Swiss Patent Office and his eventual return to the Zurich Polytechnic as a physics professor. Grossmann applied his expertise in tensor calculus and differential geometry, introducing Einstein to the absolute differential calculus developed by Elwin Bruno Christoffel, Gregorio Ricci-Curbastro, and Tullio Levi-Civita. This collaboration proved vital for the synthesis of Riemannian geometry into the general theory of relativity.
Final Years and Scientific Legacy
Grossmann suffered from multiple sclerosis and died in 1936 in Zurich. His contributions to the mathematical framework of modern physics are memorialized through the Marcel Grossmann meetings, held every three years. The International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics administers the Marcel Grossmann Awards to recognize institutional and individual achievements in the field, with winners receiving a silver casting of the T. E. S. T. sculpture by A. Pierelli.
Fast facts
- Born: 1878, Budapest
- Died: 1936, Zurich
- Citizenship: Switzerland
- Primary Field: Geometry
- Education: ETH Zurich (1896-1900)
- Religion: Reformed
- Language: German
Questions readers ask
What was Grossmann's role in Einstein's work?
He provided the mathematical framework, specifically in non-Euclidean and Riemannian geometry and tensor calculus, necessary for the development of the general theory of relativity.
What is the focus of the Marcel Grossmann Awards?
These awards, presented by the International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics, recognize significant contributions to astrophysics and relativistic field theories.
Achievements
- Held posts at ETH Zurich
- Fields: geometry, mathematics and descriptive geometry
