Bernhard Neumann facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernhard Neumann
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| Born | 15 October 1909 Berlin, Germany
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| Died | 20 October 2002 (aged 93) Canberra, Australia
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| Nationality | British and Australian |
| Alma mater | University of Berlin University of Cambridge |
| Known for | Petr–Douglas–Neumann theorem Hahn–Mal'cev–Neumann series HNN extension Outer billiard Absolute presentation of a group |
| Awards | Adams Prize (1952) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | Australian National University University of Manchester |
| Doctoral advisor | Issai Schur Philip Hall |
| Doctoral students | Gilbert Baumslag John Britton James Wiegold |
Bernhard Hermann Neumann (born October 15, 1909 – died October 21, 2002) was a very important mathematician. He was born in Germany but later became a British and Australian citizen. Bernhard Neumann was a leader in a special area of mathematics called group theory.
Life and Education
Bernhard Neumann was born in Berlin, Germany. He loved studying mathematics. He earned his first doctorate degree from the Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität in Berlin in 1932.
Later, he moved to England. He continued his studies at the University of Cambridge, where he earned another Ph.D. in 1935. He also received a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Manchester in 1954.
During World War II, he served in the British Army. After the war, he started his teaching career. He worked as a lecturer at University College, Hull (now the University of Hull). Then, in 1948, he moved to the University of Manchester. He spent 14 years there, teaching and doing research.
In 1962, Bernhard Neumann moved to Australia. He became a professor at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. He was the first head of the Department of Mathematics there. He led the department until he retired in 1975. Even after retiring, he continued his research. He worked as a senior research fellow and then an honorary research fellow at the CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics until he passed away in 2002.
Bernhard Neumann's family was also very talented in mathematics. His wife, Hanna Neumann, and his sons, Peter M. Neumann and Walter Neumann, also made important contributions to group theory.
Contributions to Mathematics
Bernhard Neumann was famous for his work in group theory. This part of mathematics studies groups, which are sets of things with a way to combine them. He helped develop many important ideas.
One of his well-known contributions is the HNN extension. This is a special way to build new groups from existing ones. It is named after him, his wife Hanna, and another mathematician named Graham Higman.
He also had many students who became successful mathematicians. Some of his doctoral students included Gilbert Baumslag and James Wiegold.
Awards and Recognition
Bernhard Neumann received many honors for his work. He was invited to speak at the International Congress of Mathematicians twice, in 1936 and 1970. These are very important meetings for mathematicians from all over the world.
In 1959, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. He also won the Adams Prize from the University of Cambridge in 1952.
In Australia, he was recognized with the Order of Australia in 1994. This is one of Australia's highest awards. He also received the Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture in 1984.
Today, the Australian Mathematical Society gives out a student prize named in his honor. This prize celebrates new mathematicians following in his footsteps.
