Who is Alexander Grothendieck? Anarchy, Mathematics, Spirituality, Solitude: A Biography

by Winfried Scharlau

Alexander Grothendieck was one of the most prominent mathematicians of the twentieth century, notably in that he revolutionized algebraic geometry. His life contains unusual drama. In 1970, at the age of 42 and after a brilliant scientific career, he gave up his professorship at the renowned Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques in Paris, withdrew from scientific activity, and soon after from mathematical research altogether. For a few years he devoted himself to the peace movement and the emerging ecology movement. Eventually his life became increasingly determined by philosophical, religious and esoteric ideas. Initially Buddhism played an important role, but later he drew closer to a more Christian vision. He wrote a much discussed retrospective account of his time as a mathematician entitled Récoltes et Semailles (Reaping and Sowing), and composed other philosophical meditations which remain unknown. In 1991, after undergoing severe psychological crises, he unexpectedly disappeared from public life. This book covers Grothendieck's life from 1970 until 1991.

Genres: Biography

Unknown Binding

First published November 8, 2010

About the author

Winfried Scharlau is a mathematician, professor emeritus at the University of Münster. He has been working on Grothendieck’s biography for some years. Besides several textbooks and numerous scientific articles he has also published two novels.