Russel lecturer to explore 19th century mathematicians

Mathematics Professor William Fulton will challenge his colleagues to tackle the questions left behind by their 19th century predecessors during the 2005 Henry Russel lecture March 8.

(Photo by Matthew Gilson)

Fulton will give his lecture—entitled "Do We Understand Geometry of the 19th Century?"—as the 2005 Henry Russel Lecturer, one of the most prestigious awards given to U-M faculty.

He will speak at 4 p.m. in Rackham Amphitheatre following a short ceremony honoring him and two recipients of the Henry Russel Award—an annual award given to U-M professors with less than six years on the faculty.

Fulton, one of the world's leading scholars in algebraic geometry, will point to complex mathematical methods used by 19th century mathematicians that need to be deciphered.

"They did amazing fantastic things," Fulton says. "But they had no foundations to put under it. So I will challenge them to put the foundation under it."

Fulton has written 11 books on various math-related topics, some of which deal with 19th century mathematicians.

"They had a mystical way of doing things," he says. "You read it and you can't image what they are doing. With very few exceptions they are right. They are obviously doing something right."

The Henry Russel awards and lectureship were established in 1925 with a bequest from the late Henry Russel of Detroit.

David T. Blaauw, associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and Anna Stefanopoulou, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will receive the 2005 Henry Russel Award.

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