Monday, June 22, 2020, 11:30 AM – 1 PM EDT
Ronald J. Gould, Goodrich C. White Professor of Mathematics Emeritus
“The Oddball’s Oddball: The Unusual Life of a Mathematical Genius”
In this talk, our own unusually gifted mathematician, Ron Gould, will describe the life and work of Paul Erdös, one of the most important mathematicians of the 20th century and the most prolific. He’ll explain how Erdös’ enormous influence on many branches of mathematics and many other mathematicians changed the very way mathematics research is conducted, transforming the famously solo endeavor into a wonderfully collaborative one. But, as Ron will also explain, Erdös was at least as strange as he was brilliant—so much so that Time Magazine dubbed him “The Oddball’s Oddball.” (Sheldon Cooper of “The Big Bang Theory” had nothing on him!) Join us to learn about Erdös’ professional successes and personal eccentricities from one who knew him well enough to appreciate both.