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Bernhard Riemann 1826-1866: Turning points in the conception of mathematics. Transl. from the German by Abe Shenitzer. With the editorial assistance of the author, Hardy Grant, and Sarah Shenitzer. Reprint of the 1999 original. (English) Zbl 1140.01019

Modern Birkhäuser Classics. Boston, MA: Birkhäuser (ISBN 978-0-8176-4776-6/pbk). xvi, 357 p. (2008).
Bernhard Riemann’s influence on the development of mathematics in the 19th century, and of modern structural mathematics in general, can barely be overestimated. The impact of his pioneering ideas on contemporary mathematics and physics is virtually unceasing, even after more than 140 years after his untimely death in 1866. Due to Riemann’s outstanding role in the history of mathematics, there is a wealth of literature on his life and work. However, the first comprehensive book on Bernhard Riemann, his life, his time, his mathematical work, and his enduring achievements appeared as late as in 1996. Written by D. Laugwitz and originally published in German (Zbl 0853.01035), this profound and unique biography, which also provided a refined analysis of the development of mathematics in the 19th century, underwent an almost immediate translation into English (Zbl 0931.01027). The current book is the unaltered reprint of this English translation published in 1999, which in the meantime has become one of the most important historical source books on Bernhard Riemann and his conception of mathematics. As to the precise contents and well-deserved appraisals of this excellent treatise, we may therefore unrestrictedly refer to the expert reviews of the previous editions. Now as before, this utmost penetrating and cultured depiction of the mathematical genius Bernhard Riemann and his revolutionary conception of mathematics as a whole must be seen as an invaluable gift to the mathematical community.

MSC:

01A70 Biographies, obituaries, personalia, bibliographies
01A55 History of mathematics in the 19th century
01-02 Research exposition (monographs, survey articles) pertaining to history and biography
20-03 History of group theory
26-03 History of real functions
54-03 History of general topology
00A30 Philosophy of mathematics

Biographic References:

Riemann, Bernhard
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