1877-1938

German Mathematician

Noted primarily for his work in number theory, Edmund Landau investigated the distribution of prime numbers and prime ideals. In all, he wrote some 250 papers and books, but his career was cut short by the Nazis' accession to power.

Landau was born in Berlin on February 14, 1877, the son of Leopold (a gynecologist) and Johanna Landau. His father was Jewish, but, like many German Jews of his era, he had become as fully assimilated as possible and embraced German patriotism. Leopold remained committed to Jewish causes, however, and in 1872 helped establish a Jewish academy in Berlin.

Young Edmund studied at Berlin's Französische Gymnasium, or "French School," graduating at the age of 16. He then entered Berlin University, where in 1899 he earned his Ph.D. with a dissertation on number theory, written under the direction of Georg Frobenius (1849-1917). In 1901 Landau...