Kolloquium: Norbert Schappacher (Université de Strasbourg): “Rational Quadrilaterals, Oscillators, and a Momentous Contribution to Number Theory. The Headstrong Life and Work of Kurt Heegner (1893–1965)”

Rational Quadrilaterals, Oscillators, and a Momentous
Contribution to Number Theory. The Headstrong Life and Work of Kurt Heegner
(1893–1965) – Vortragender: Norbert Schappacher, Université de Strasbourg – Einladender: K.-H. Neeb

Abstract: Kurt
Heegner’s name is well-known today among arithmeticians, mostly in connection
with Heegner points. Among the influential mathematicians of the 20th century,
Heegner is exceptional because he never held a position as a mathematician. He
worked at home and had only limited contacts with the mathematical community. The
talk, based on joint ongoing work with Samuel J. Patterson, will present an
overview of Heegner’s life and work. One objective will be to sketch Heegner’s
personal mathematical agenda, and how it led to the results he is now famous
for.