Vladimir Voevodsky

Russian mathematician (1966–2017)

In the history of mathematics, Vladimir Voevodsky is one of the names that keeps returning.

The record lists Vladimir Voevodsky as Russian mathematician (1966–2017).

Vladimir Voevodsky was born at Moscow in 1966. His recorded nationality is Russia. He studied at Harvard University and MSU Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics.

Modern mathematics is collaborative and increasingly computational; proofs can now run to thousands of pages or depend on machine verification.

His academic posts were held at Institute for Advanced Study.

The recorded fields of work are algebraic geometry, topology and galois theory.

Mathematical work is judged by whether anyone can build on it, and that judgement takes decades.

Recognition followed: Fields medal (2002).

That the work was done from Russia matters: mathematical training, institutions and the language of publication have never been evenly distributed.

Vladimir Voevodsky died in 2017, aged 51. The proofs remain, and a proof does not decay - which is the particular permanence mathematics offers.

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