Arild Stubhaug

Read about the dramatic life of an outstanding mathematical genius: Niels Henrik Abel (1802-1829). Arild Stubhaug, who is both a historian and a mathematician, has written the definitive biography of Niels Henrik Abel. The Norwegian original edition was a sensational success, and Arild Stubhaug was awarded the most prestigious Norwegian literary prize (Brageprisen) in the category non-fiction. Everyone with an interest in the history of mathematics and science will enjoy reading this book on one of the most famous mathematicians of the 19th century.

Read about the dramatic life of an outstanding mathematical genius: Niels Henrik Abel (1802-1829). Arild Stubhaug, who is both a historian and a mathematician, has written the definitive biography of Niels Henrik Abel. The Norwegian original edition was a sensational success, and Arild Stubhaug was awarded the most prestigious Norwegian literary prize (Brageprisen) in the category non-fiction. Everyone with an interest in the history of mathematics and science will enjoy reading this book on one of the most famous mathematicians of the 19th century.

Stein Rokkan (1921-1979) introduced the concepts of 'centre and periphery' and 'counterculture'. He also formulated the idea that 'votes count but resources decide' in elections. Rokkan was a founder of Norwegian social science, who became a world leader in the discipline. This biography offers an intimate portrait of the scientist and the man. Born in Lofoten and raised in Narvik, he rapidly became a star talent at Oslo University. He was courted by the great American universities, and universities in Manchester, London, and Paris, but opted to stay in Bergen, accepting only sporadic visiting professorships. Rokkan was a powerhouse in the political science discipline, especially in the relatively new field of comparative politics. When he died in 1979, aged only 58, his contribution drew praise from all sides; he had become a role model, the epitome of the international scholar. Who was he?

Stein Rokkan (1921–1979) introduced the concepts of ‘centre and periphery’ and ‘counterculture’. He also formulated the idea that ‘votes count but resources decide’ in elections. Rokkan was a founder of Norwegian social science, who became a world leader in the discipline. This biography offers an intimate portrait of the scientist and the man. Born in Lofoten and raised in Narvik, he rapidly became a star talent at Oslo University. He was courted by the great American universities, and universities in Manchester, London, and Paris, but opted to stay in Bergen, accepting only sporadic visiting professorships. Rokkan was a powerhouse in the political science discipline, especially in the relatively new field of comparative politics. When he died in 1979, aged only 58, his contribution drew praise from all sides; he had become a role model, the epitome of the international scholar. Who was he?

Denne boken løfter frem det miljøet og de aktørene som betraktet unionen med Sverige som et udelt gode - de som tapte i 1905. Gjennom det meste av unionstiden fylte personer tilknyttet Sibbern-slekten sentrale posisjoner i regjeringsapparatet. Unionskongene følte seg trygge på deres lojalitet. Man snakket om Sibbern-familien som et eget dynasti. Frederik Due, statsminister i Stockholm 1841-58, var gift med den musikalske og omsvermede Alethe Sibbern, som ble en førende skikkelse i Stockholms sosietetsliv. Og Dues etterfølger som statsminister var Alethes bror Georg Sibbern. Han satt i posten gjennom hele 1860-tallet, som regnes som unionens glanstid. Hvordan var det private, indre liv i disse kretsene? Hvilke kulturelle krav ble stilt for å kunne ferdes i dette miljøet? Hva tok norske embetsmenn og deres familier med seg hjem fra Sverige?

Biografien om gutten fra Lofoten som ble den fremste samfunnsforskeren i det forrige århundre. Stein Rokkan (1921-79) introduserte begrepene "sentrum og periferi" og "motkulturer" for å forstå norsk historie og politisk utvikling, og formuleringen "stemmer teller, men ressurser avgjør" i valg. Han var en gründer både i norsk og internasjonal samfunnsforskning og ble en av verdens fremste i faget. I denne biografien får vi et nært bilde av forskeren så vel som mennesket Stein Rokkan: født i Lofoten, oppvokst i Narvik og en lysende begavelse ved universitetet i hovedstaden i krigsårene og like etter. Han var en akademisk super-achiever som slukte all slags kunnskapsstoff. Gjennom sin forskning og teorier om politiske systemer samt sine mange tillitsverv ble han et forbilde og en modell av en internasjonal scholar. En rekke fremtredende forskere og formidlere var elever av Rokkan, for eksempel var han avgjørende for Frank Aarebrot. Arild Stubhaug har skrevet en rekke biografier. For biografien om Niels Henrik Abel fikk han Brageprisen.

Gösta Mittag-Leffler (1846–1927) played a significant role as both a scientist and entrepreneur. Regarded as the father of Swedish mathematics, his influence extended far beyond his chosen field because of his extensive network of international contacts in science, business, and the arts. He was instrumental in seeing to it that Marie Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize twice. One of Mittag-Leffler’s major accomplishments was the founding of the journal Acta Mathematica , published by Institut Mittag-Leffler and Sweden’s Royal Academy of Sciences. Arild Stubhaug’s research for this monumental biography relied on a wealth of primary and secondary resources, including more than 30000 letters that are part of the Mittag-Leffler archives. Written in a lucid and compelling manner, the biography contains many hitherto unknown facts about Mittag-Leffler’s personal life and professional endeavors. It will be of great interest to both mathematicians and general readers interested in science and culture.

Aus den Rezensionen der englischen Ausgabe: "..wie in der Biographie über N(iels) H(enrik) Abel vom gleichen Autor (...) ist auch dieses Buch von Stubhaug hne eine einzige Formel oder präzise mathematische Definition. Was aber Stubhaug uns durch seine umfangreichen Nachforschungen, hauptsächlich in Briefen Lies an seine Frau, an seine Freunde in Norwegen und Briefe an und von seinen Kollegen, mitteilen kann, lässt in vielen Einzelheiten, Stück für Stück, ein breiteres Bild von Lie, der wissenschaftlichen und politischen Situation Norwegens zu Lies Zeit, und des wissenschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Lebens an Lies Wirkungsstätten entstehen. ... Das Buch bringt allen großen Gewinn, die sich für Sophus Lie und seine Zeit interessieren. Insbesondere erfährt man viel über den wissenschaftlichen Kontakt zwischen Lie und anderen mathematischen Größen der damaligen Zeit wie Klein, Kummer, Study, Darboux, Poincare und anderen. ..." E. Vogt, http://www.mathematik.de

Auszüge aus einer Rezension der englischen Ausgabe: "Ein mathematisches Genie, das viel zu früh starb und das quasi erst auf dem Totenbett die Stelle angeboten bekam, die seinem Leben eine finanzielle Basis gegeben und ihm eine große Karriere eröffnet hätte... In der Mathematikgeschichte ist eine Biographie, aus der man leicht ein Film-Drehbuch machen könnte, kein Einzelfall (Galois, Ramanujan, ...), im vorliegenden Buch wird das Leben von Abel liebevoll und sehr ausführlich nachgezeichnet. Man kann das Buch als erste Einführung in die von Abel entwickelte Mathematik lesen. (Es gibt in dem Buch aber keine einzige Formel, wirklich schwierig wird es an keiner Stelle.) Es bietet auch die Möglichkeit, viel Interessantes aus der europäischen, insbesondere der norwegischen Geschichte zu Beginn des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts zu erfahren. ..." Internet Portal der DMV, http://www.mathematik.de

Sophus Lie (1842-1899) is without doubt one of Norway's greatest scientific talents. His mathematical works have made him famous around the world no less than Niels Henrik Abel. The terms Lie groups and Lie algebra are today part of the standard mathematical vocabulary. In his comprehensive biography the author Arild Stubhaug let us come close to both the person Sophus Lie and his time. We follow him through childhood at the vicarage in Nordfjordeid, his growing up in Moss, school and studying in Christiania, travelling in Europe and his contacts with the leading mathematicians of his time. The academic and scientific career brought Lie from Christiania to Leipzig as professor, before the attempt to call him back to Norway, when she stood on the threshhold to national sovereignty, was successful.

Auszüge aus einer Rezension der englischen Ausgabe: "Ein mathematisches Genie, das viel zu früh starb und das quasi erst auf dem Totenbett die Stelle angeboten bekam, die seinem Leben eine finanzielle Basis gegeben und ihm eine große Karriere eröffnet hätte... In der Mathematikgeschichte ist eine Biographie, aus der man leicht ein Film-Drehbuch machen könnte, kein Einzelfall (Galois, Ramanujan, ...), im vorliegenden Buch wird das Leben von Abel liebevoll und sehr ausführlich nachgezeichnet. Man kann das Buch als erste Einführung in die von Abel entwickelte Mathematik lesen. (Es gibt in dem Buch aber keine einzige Formel, wirklich schwierig wird es an keiner Stelle.) Es bietet auch die Möglichkeit, viel Interessantes aus der europäischen, insbesondere der norwegischen Geschichte zu Beginn des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts zu erfahren. ..." Internet Portal der DMV, http://www.mathematik.de

Aus den Rezensionen der englischen Ausgabe: "..wie in der Biographie über N(iels) H(enrik) Abel vom gleichen Autor (...) ist auch dieses Buch von Stubhaug hne eine einzige Formel oder präzise mathematische Definition. Was aber Stubhaug uns durch seine umfangreichen Nachforschungen, hauptsächlich in Briefen Lies an seine Frau, an seine Freunde in Norwegen und Briefe an und von seinen Kollegen, mitteilen kann, lässt in vielen Einzelheiten, Stück für Stück, ein breiteres Bild von Lie, der wissenschaftlichen und politischen Situation Norwegens zu Lies Zeit, und des wissenschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Lebens an Lies Wirkungsstätten entstehen. ... Das Buch bringt allen großen Gewinn, die sich für Sophus Lie und seine Zeit interessieren. Insbesondere erfährt man viel über den wissenschaftlichen Kontakt zwischen Lie und anderen mathematischen Größen der damaligen Zeit wie Klein, Kummer, Study, Darboux, Poincare und anderen. ..." E. Vogt, http://www.mathematik.de

Sophus Lie (1842-1899) is without doubt one of Norway's greatest scientific talents. His mathematical works have made him famous around the world no less than Niels Henrik Abel. The terms Lie groups and Lie algebra are today part of the standard mathematical vocabulary. In his comprehensive biography the author Arild Stubhaug let us come close to both the person Sophus Lie and his time. We follow him through childhood at the vicarage in Nordfjordeid, his growing up in Moss, school and studying in Christiania, travelling in Europe and his contacts with the leading mathematicians of his time. The academic and scientific career brought Lie from Christiania to Leipzig as professor, before the attempt to call him back to Norway, when she stood on the threshhold to national sovereignty, was successful.