Wacław Sierpiński worked in mathematics at a period when the field's own foundations were under discussion.
The record lists Wacław Sierpiński as Polish mathematician.
Wacław Sierpiński was born at Warsaw in 1882. His recorded nationality is Poland. He studied at University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University.
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 Warsaw and Lviv University.
The recorded fields of work are number theory, topology and mathematics.
Among his principal contributions are Sierpiński triangle, Sierpinski carpet and Sierpiński space. A theorem is permanent in a way no experiment can be, which raises the standard for entry.
The honours record reads: Commander with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta, Stefan Banach Prize (1946), Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta and Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
That the work was done from Poland matters: mathematical training, institutions and the language of publication have never been evenly distributed.
Wacław Sierpiński died in 1969, aged 87. The proofs remain, and a proof does not decay - which is the particular permanence mathematics offers.
Achievements
- Commander with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Stefan Banach Prize — 1946
- Commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Notable work: Sierpiński triangle
- Notable work: Sierpinski carpet
- Notable work: Sierpiński space
- Notable work: Sierpiński curve
- Held posts at University of Warsaw and Lviv University
- Fields: number theory, topology and mathematics
