tea.mathoverflow.net - Discussion Feed (Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?)

artfrt comments on "Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?" (19029)

artfrt — Tue, 08 May 2012 21:58:15 -0700

Autobiographical and biographical details of Sir Michael Atiyah is in "The Founders of Index Theory",

http://www.amazon.com/Founders-Index-Theory-Second-Edition/dp/157146137X

José Figueroa comments on "Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?" (19028)

José Figueroa — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:34:34 -0700

I agree that this is not suitable for MO, but in case it's useful, the closest thing I know to an autobiography of Sir Michael Atiyah is this set of interviews from Web of Stories (which used to be People's Archive).

WillieWong comments on "Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?" (18973)

WillieWong — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:33:12 -0700

This is a great question, however, for Friday afternoon happy hours.

Vladimir Dotsenko comments on "Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?" (18972)

Vladimir Dotsenko — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:54:46 -0700

Let me join the two previous commenters: I do not think this question is any good for MO or MSE.

Asaf Karagila comments on "Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?" (18971)

Asaf Karagila — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:15:33 -0700

I would probably read the biographies of several Israeli mathematicians which I have had the honor to meet in person.

I also agree with Andy that this is definitely not a good question for neither MO nor MSE.

Andy Putman comments on "Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?" (18968)

Andy Putman — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:54:08 -0700

I don't think this is a good question either for here or for math.SE. It's much too chatty, and while I could imagine the answers telling one something about the answerers, I don't think they would really be of much use to anyone.

Zeeshan Mahmud comments on "Who is the contemporary mathematician whose autobiography would you definitely buy?" (18966)

Zeeshan Mahmud — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:26:21 -0700

Yes, yes I know it's a soft question and defo. a CW at that. May be if it's too soft, I will push ot for SE.

I was hoping to prefix it with:
I for one would definitely like to read Andrew Wiles' one. The fact that he was in tears in a youtube video upon dawn of illumination really moved me and also I would like to read the "AUTO"biography of Perelman. Some more contenders would Szemerdi, Milnor or Sir Atiyah(among the Abel prize winners)...

Please advice!