Rafael Artzy contributed 224 entries to Mathematical Reviews between 1956 and 1995, establishing a long-term academic presence in the field of geometry. Born in Königsberg, Germany, in 1912, he spent his career navigating between institutions in Israel and the United States, eventually returning to Haifa to focus on research and the organization of geometric conferences.
Early Education and Migration
Artzy began his formal studies at the University of Königsberg, attending from 1930 to 1933. Shortly after, he moved to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, completing his master's degree in 1934 and earning his Ph.D. in 1945 under the supervision of Theodore Motzkin. Before transitioning into higher education, he served as a teacher and principal at Israel High School from 1934 to 1951, while also participating in the Haganah.
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During the mid-1950s, Artzy initiated a period of academic mobility across North America. He held positions at the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1956 to 1958, followed by a tenure at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology from 1958 to 1960. Subsequent appointments included the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Rutgers University, and the University at Buffalo. In 1964, he served as a visitor at the Institute for Advanced Study, and from 1967 to 1973, he was affiliated with Temple University.
Research and Publications
Artzy authored several significant texts, including Linear Geometry, published in 1965, and Geometry: An Algebraic Approach, released in 1992. His editorial work included the proceedings of the 1979 quadrennial conference on geometry at Haifa, co-edited with I. Vaisman and published as Lecture Notes in Mathematics #792. His professional life concluded at the University of Haifa, where he served on the faculty from 1973 until his retirement in 1995, including a term as department chairperson from 1985 to 1986.
Fast facts
- Born: 1912, Königsberg
- Died: 2006, Haifa
- Citizenship: German, Israeli
- Ph.D. Year: 1945
- Buried: Ami'ad
- Languages: German, English, Hebrew
Questions readers ask
What was Rafael Artzy's primary area of study?
He was a mathematician who specialized in geometry.
Did Rafael Artzy hold academic positions in Israel?
Yes, he was affiliated with the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and the University of Haifa.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Wisconsin–Madison, Temple University and Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
- Fields: geometry
