1886-1982

Bieberbach was born in Goddelau, Germany, in 1886 and was best known for a mathematical function known as the Bieberbach Conjecture (1916). His name is also synonymous with the study of polynomials, which now bears his name. Although he was reputed to be an inspiring teacher, he was also said to be rather disorganized in his methods. Perhaps the most damaging aspect of his personality was his outspoken anti-Semitism. This bigotry resulted in his publishing of a "German" style of mathematics as opposed to the abstract "Jewish" style of analysis. He went so far as to found a journal called Deutsche Mathematik. Bieberbach died in Germany in 1982.