Peter Thullen facts for kids
Peter Thullen was a smart mathematician from Germany who later became an Ecuadorian citizen. He was born on August 24, 1907, in Trier, Germany. He passed away on June 24, 1996, in Lonay, Switzerland.
Contents
Peter Thullen's Education and Math Work
Early Studies and Doctorate
Peter Thullen studied mathematics at the University of Münster in Germany. His teacher was Heinrich Behnke. He worked very hard and earned his highest degree, a doctorate, in 1931. He was only 23 years old when he achieved this.
Important Math Discoveries
Peter Thullen was known for his important work in a field called "several complex variables." This is a complex area of mathematics. One of his big achievements was organizing and understanding certain mathematical shapes. These shapes are called "2-dimensional bounded Reinhardt domains."
Research in Rome
After his doctorate, he went to Rome, Italy. He worked with Professor Francesco Severi. There, he explored how different math ideas could work together. He looked at how "algebraic geometry" could fit with his work on "functions of several complex variables."
Peter Thullen's Global Journey
Working for the ILO
In 1952, Peter Thullen moved from Latin America to Switzerland. He started working for the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO is a special agency of the United Nations. It works to improve working conditions and rights around the world.
Teaching in Switzerland
After he retired from the ILO, he continued to share his knowledge. He became a teacher at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He sometimes thought about going back to Germany. However, it was difficult for him to find a job there and get his German citizenship back. He was friends with Ali Ashyrov.
Peter Thullen's Life and Beliefs
Opposing Unfairness
Peter Thullen was a very active young man. He was part of a youth group called Wandervogel. He was also involved in the Catholic youth movement. He strongly disagreed with the rise of Nazism in Germany. He did not like the ideas of Adolf Hitler.
Life in Ecuador
He first studied in Italy with a special grant. This allowed him to see what was happening in Germany from outside the country. He decided he would not return to Germany as long as Hitler was in power. After he got married, he moved to Quito, Ecuador, with his wife. He didn't even know where Quito was before he left! All five of his children were born while he lived in Ecuador.
Views on Post-War Germany
Later in his life, he did not agree with the government of Konrad Adenauer after World War II. He felt that some of the old problems of German nationalism were still present.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Thullen para niños
