Logic List Mailing Archive

Announcement of a new biography of Ernst Zermelo

Heinz-Dieter Ebbinghaus in cooperation with Volker Peckhaus:

ERNST ZERMELO. AN APPROACH TO HIS LIFE AND WORK
Springer-Verlag 2007, 356 pp., US-$ 64.95, Euro 49.95 (w. t.)


     Ernst Zermelo (1871-1953) is best-known for the statement of the
     axiom of choice and his axiomatization of set theory. However, he
     also worked in applied mathematics and mathematical physics. His
     dissertation, for example, promoted the calculus of variations,
     and he created the pivotal method in the theory of rating systems.
	     This biography attempts to shed light on all facets of
Zermelo's
     life and achievements. Personal and scientific aspects are kept
     separate as far as coherence allows, in order to enable the
     reader to follow the one or the other of these threads. The
     description of his personality owes much to conversations with
     his late wife Gertrud. The presentation of his work explores
     motivations, aims, acceptance, and influence. Selected proofs
     and information gleaned from unpublished notes and letters add
     to the analysis.
	     There are more than 40 photos and facsimiles, most of them
     provided by Gertrud Zermelo and published here for the first
     time.