Youthful Achievement in Mathematics

Momentous mathematical achievement is frequently associated with those who are advanced in years. Some of the greatest of achievers were blessed with a long and highly productive life. One need look no farther than the mathematical giant Newton (1642-1727), the prolific Gauss (1777-1855), or the insightful mathematicianphysicist Einstein (1879-1955). And others too, say, the gifted applied mathematician, Galileo (1546-1642). Yet all of the mathematicians above, whether theoretically or practically inclined (or both), made their marks on mathematics at a very early age.

Others did not live to a ripe old age, however, thus raising the question as to how a long and mathematically productive life might have unfolded. Here, for example, are Galois (1811-1832), Abel (1802-1829), and Eisenstein (1823-1852). Note that mathematical distinction is associated with all the mathematicians above going back to their early years. Their portraits must have a special place in a modern era hall of fame.