Émile Borel was one of the most powerful mathematicians of the twentieth century. He displayed great virtuosity in working in a number of different areas of mathematics, particularly complex numbers and functions, but in addition served visibly as a representative of the mathematical community to the general public. He brought the influence of the mathematical spirit to bear, thanks to his popular writings and to his participation in academic and national politics. His views on mathematics and how it should be supported affected French national policy on mathematics for many years after his death.

Émile Félix-Édouard-Justin Borel was born in Saint-Affrique in the Aveyron district of France, the son of Protestant pastor Honoré Borel and Émilie Teissié-Solier, the daughter of a successful merchant. He had two older sisters, but rapidly impressed the neighborhood with his intelligence. Born on...