1979/01/01 by L. Auslander, Richard Tolimieri · 1 citation
Mathematics · #Mathematical Analysis and Transform Methods #Advanced Algebra and Geometry #Algebraic and Geometric Analysis
paper · pdf · doi:10.1090/s0273-0979-1979-14686-x
openalex publication_date 1979/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/07
Let me begin with my view of a bit of history. Before the Second World War mathematics in the United States was a servant of the needs of others and mathematicians taught service courses. Indeed, while A. Weil was teaching at an Eastern university it would be only a slight exaggeration to say that he was forbidden from presenting proofs in class and was called on the carpet by a dean for breaking this structure. In the years after the War, mathematics became a subject in its own right. Proofs became acceptable, as the creation of the "new math" proved to the world. Mathematicians were in demand, were men in their own right and no one's servants.