1876-1965

American mathematician who, through study of differential geometry, developed a theory of deformation of surfaces and systems of surfaces. He showed that the deformation of a surface defines the congruence of lines connecting a point and its image point. Eisenhart, who was home schooled by his mother and later studied mathematics mainly through guided independent reading, promoted the option of obtaining a college degree through independent study and the preparation of a thesis, as adopted by some American colleges.