Richard Courant

Date of Birth: January 8, 1888

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: January 27, 1972

Biography

Richard Courant was a prominent German-American mathematician renowned for his significant contributions to various fields of mathematics, including mathematical physics, partial differential equations, and numerical analysis. Born in Germany, Courant studied under David Hilbert at the University of Göttingen, where he earned his doctorate in 1910. His career was marked by his role as a director of the Institute of Mathematics at Göttingen, a position he held until the rise of the Nazi regime, which forced him to emigrate to the United States in 1933. In the U.S., Courant became a foundational figure at New York University, where he established the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, which remains one of the most prestigious mathematical institutions in the world. Beyond his academic achievements, Courant co-authored the influential book “Methods of Mathematical Physics” with David Hilbert, which has had a lasting impact on the field. He was a mentor to many notable mathematicians and continued to contribute to mathematics until his death in 1972.

5 Interesting Facts about Richard Courant

1. Richard Courant was a student of the legendary mathematician David Hilbert and completed his Ph.D. under Hilbert’s supervision at the University of Göttingen.

2. He fled Nazi Germany in 1933 due to his Jewish heritage and subsequently helped build the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University.

3. Courant was instrumental in developing finite element methods, which are widely used in engineering and physical sciences.

4. His book “What is Mathematics?” co-authored with Herbert Robbins, is considered a classic introduction to mathematics for laypeople and students.

5. Despite his significant contributions to mathematics, Courant also had a keen interest in music and was an accomplished pianist.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Courant

1. “Mathematics as an expression of the human mind reflects the active will, the contemplative reason, and the desire for aesthetic perfection.”

2. “For mathematics, the art of posing a question must be held of higher value than solving it.”

3. “It is impossible to be a mathematician without being a poet in soul.”

4. “Mathematics is the only instructional material that can be presented in an entirely undogmatic way.”

5. “To understand a science it is necessary to know its history.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Richard Courant’s net worth is not widely documented, but his influence and legacy in the field of mathematics is invaluable.

Children

Richard Courant had four children: Ernest Courant, a notable physicist known for his work in accelerator physics; Gertrude Courant, a mathematician; Hans Courant, a biochemist; and Leonore Courant, who pursued a career in the arts.