1926-

French Mathematician

As do many mathematicians working at the frontiers of the discipline, Jean-Pierre Serre specializes in topology, the study of geometric figures whose properties are unaffected by physical manipulation. Despite the fact that he has grappled with subjects far beyond the understanding of all but a few highly trained specialists, Serre has proven his ability to write about mathematics in a lucid, easily understood style. He received the Fields Medal in 1954.

Serre was born in Bages, France, on September 15, 1926, to Jean and Adèle Diet Serre. Both parents were pharmacists and they brought their son up with a fascination for chemistry. From an early age, however, Serre took an interest in calculus and began poring over his mother's books in advanced mathematics. When he was just 15, he taught himself the fundamentals of derivatives, integers, series, and other aspects of calculus that most people only...