Robert Steinberg Collected Papers

This volume is a collection of published papers by Robert Steinberg. It contains all of his published papers on group theory, including those on "special" representations (now called Steinberg representations), Coxeter groups, regular nilpotent elements and Galois cohomology. After each paper, there is a section, "Comments on the papers", that contains minor corrections and clarifications and explains how ideas and results have evolved and been used since they first appeared.

William Thurston's work has had a profound influence on mathematics. He connected whole mathematical subjects in entirely new ways and changed the way mathematicians think about geometry, topology, foliations, group theory, dynamical systems, and the way these areas interact. His emphasis on understanding and imagination in mathematical learning and thinking are integral elements of his distinctive legacy. This four-part collection brings together in one place Thurston's major writings, many of which are appearing in publication for the first time. Volumes I–III contain commentaries by the Editors. Volume IV includes a preface by Steven P. Kerckhoff. Volume III contains William Thurston's papers on dynamics and computer science, and papers written for general audiences. Additional miscellaneous papers are also included, such as his 1967 New College undergraduate thesis, which foreshadows his later work.

Robert Steinberg's Lectures on Chevalley Groups were delivered and written during the author's sabbatical visit to Yale University in the 1967–1968 academic year. The work presents the status of the theory of Chevalley groups as it was in the mid-1960s. Much of this material was instrumental in many areas of mathematics, in particular in the theory of algebraic groups and in the subsequent classification of finite groups. This posthumous edition incorporates additions and corrections prepared by the author during his retirement, including a new introductory chapter. A bibliography and editorial notes have also been added.

The second volume continues--and presumably concludes since they date to two years after his death--the selection of almost all of Amitsur's (1921-1994) work demonstrating his wide and enduring contribution to algebra, though some in Hebrew and some expositions are not included. The sections here are combinatorial polynomial identity theory and division algebras, each introduced by a mathematician. The papers are reproduced from their original publication in a variety of type styles and pay layouts. The biographical sketch must be in the first volume. There is no index. c. Book News Inc.

Eugene Dynkin is a rare example of a contemporary mathematician who has achieved outstanding results in two quite different areas of research: algebra and probability. In both areas, his ideas constitute an essential part of modern mathematical knowledge and form a basis for further development. Although his last work in algebra was published in 1955, his contributions continue to influence current research in algebra and in the physics of elementary particles. His work in probability is part of both the historical and the modern development of the topic. This volume presents Dynkin's scientific contributions in both areas. Included are Commentary by recognized experts in the corresponding fields who describe the time, place, role, and impact of Dynkin's research and achievements. Biographical notes and the recollections of his students are also featured.This book is jointly published by the AMS and the International Press.

The work of Joseph Fels Ritt and Ellis Kolchin in differential algebra paved the way for exciting new applications in constructive symbolic computation, differential Galois theory, the model theory of fields, and Diophantine geometry. This volume assembles Kolchin's mathematical papers, contributing solidly to the archive on construction of modern differential algebra. This collection of Kolchin's clear and comprehensive papers--in themselves constituting a history of the subject--is an invaluable aid to the student of differential algebra. In 1910, Ritt created a theory of algebraic differential equations modeled not on the existing transcendental methods of Lie, but rather on the new algebra being developed by E. Noether and B. van der Waerden. Building on Ritt's foundation, and deeply influenced by Weil and Chevalley, Kolchin opened up Ritt theory to modern algebraic geometry. In so doing, he led differential geometry in a new direction. By creating differential algebraic geometry and the theory of differential algebraic groups, Kolchin provided the foundation for a "new geometry" that has led to both a striking and an original approach to arithmetic algebraic geometry. Intriguing possibilities were introduced for a new language for nonlinear differential equations theory. The volume includes commentary by A. Borel, M. Singer, and B. Poizat. Also Buium and Cassidy trace the development of Kolchin's ideas, from his important early work on the differential Galois theory to his later groundbreaking results on the theory of differential algebraic geometry and differential algebraic groups. Commentaries are self-contained with numerous examples of various aspects of differential algebra and its applications. Central topics of Kolchin's work are discussed, presenting the history of differential algebra and exploring how his work grew from and transformed the work of Ritt. New directions of differential algebra are illustrated, outlining important current advances. Prerequisite to understanding the text is a background at the beginning graduate level in algebra, specifically commutative algebra, the theory of field extensions, and Galois theory.

".... with the huge success of the quantum theory, starting especially with the Schrödinger equation in 1926, came a feeling among the leading physicists that mathematics should keep in the background or, as one person put it, `elegance is for tailors'. From the other side, mid-twentieth century mathematicians were not much more hospitable about intrusions of physics, as we can see, for instance, in Hardy's well known little essay. Walter was one of the first, in the post-war years, to try to put things back together." -- from the Foreword by Elliott Lieb This book contains Thirring's scientific contributions to mathematical physics, statistical physics, general relativity, quantum field theory, and elementary particle theory from 1950 onward. The order of the papers within the various sections is chronological and reflects the development of the fields during the second half of this century. In some cases, Thirring returned to problems decades later when the tools for their solution had ripened. Each section contains introductory comments by Thirring, outlining his motivation for the work at that time.