Jean-Pierre Kahane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean-Pierre Kahane
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Jean-Pierre Kahane in 2006
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| Born | 11 December 1926 |
| Died | 21 June 2017 (aged 90) Paris
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| Nationality | French |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | University of Paris University of Paris-Sud |
| Doctoral advisor | Szolem Mandelbrojt |
| Doctoral students | Jean-Pierre Aubin Jean-Louis Krivine Yves Meyer Mario Wschebor |
Jean-Pierre Kahane (born December 11, 1926, died June 21, 2017) was a brilliant French mathematician. He made important contributions to a field of math called harmonic analysis, which helps us understand waves and signals.
A Life in Mathematics
Jean-Pierre Kahane loved learning. He went to a famous school in France called the École normale supérieure. In 1949, he passed a special exam to become a math teacher, called the agrégation.
After school, he worked for a big research organization in France, the CNRS, from 1949 to 1954. He started as an intern and then became a research assistant. In 1954, he earned his PhD, which is the highest university degree you can get. His teacher for his PhD was Szolem Mandelbrojt.
Teaching and Research
From 1954 to 1961, Kahane was a professor of mathematics in Montpellier. After that, he became a professor at the Université de Paris-Sud in Orsay. He taught there until he retired in 1994. Even after retiring, he continued to be involved as a professor emeritus, which means he kept his special title and connection to the university.
Kahane was a very respected mathematician around the world. He was invited to give important talks at the International Congress of Mathematicians in 1962 and 1986. These are big meetings where mathematicians share their latest discoveries.
Awards and Recognition
In 1982, he became a member of the French Academy of Sciences, a group of France's most brilliant scientists. In 1998, he became a full member. He also led the French Mathematical Society, called the Société mathématique de France, from 1971 to 1973.
Many places recognized his work. In 2000, he received an honorary doctorate from Uppsala University in Sweden. In 2002, he was given a high honor in France, becoming a commander in the order of the Légion d'Honneur. In 2012, he was chosen as a fellow of the American Mathematical Society, a group for top mathematicians in America.
Getting Involved
Jean-Pierre Kahane was also known for being active in public life. He was involved with the French Communist Party throughout his life. This meant he cared about social issues and worked to make society better for everyone.
