Serge Lang

Date of Birth: May 19, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: September 12, 2005

Biography

Serge Lang was a highly influential French-American mathematician known for his extensive work in number theory and for his passionate advocacy on various social and political issues. Born in Paris, France, Lang moved to the United States and completed his Ph.D. at Princeton University under the supervision of Emil Artin. He went on to hold academic positions at prominent institutions such as Columbia University and Yale University. Lang authored over 40 books covering a wide range of mathematical disciplines, including textbooks that are considered classics in the field. He was also a member of the Bourbaki group, an anonymous collective of mathematicians dedicated to reformulating mathematics on an extremely abstract and formal basis. Beyond his mathematical contributions, Serge Lang was an outspoken critic of various scientific and political issues. He famously challenged the scientific establishment on matters he felt were unjust or misinformed, including the Vietnam War and the scientific credibility of certain public health studies.

5 Interesting Facts about Serge Lang

1. Serge Lang was a member of the Bourbaki group, which aimed to reformulate mathematics on an extremely abstract and formal basis.

2. He wrote over 40 books, many of which are standard texts in undergraduate and graduate mathematics courses.

3. Lang was awarded the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition in 1999 by the American Mathematical Society.

4. He was a vocal activist, actively opposing the Vietnam War and critiquing various scientific studies and public policies he found scientifically unsound.

5. Despite his achievements, Lang was known for his confrontational style and often found himself at odds with other academics and institutions.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Serge Lang

1. “The importance of a problem should not be measured by the number of people who are busy with it.”

2. “Mathematics is not a spectator sport.”

3. “The most important thing in mathematical writing is to be clear.”

4. “I believe that the role of a mathematician is not only to do mathematics, but also to communicate it.”

5. “I have spent my life in the pursuit of truth and clarity.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While detailed financial records are not publicly available, it is estimated that Serge Lang’s highest net worth was modest, primarily comprised of royalties from his numerous textbooks and academic publications.