1923-

French Mathematician

Best known for his formulation of catastrophe theory, which has wide-ranging applications in both the natural sciences and the social sciences, René Thom is a topologist and mathematical philosopher of distinction. Not only was he the recipient of the Fields Medal in 1958, he has also been named a Knight of the Legion of Honor in France, and has received numerous other awards.

Born on September 2, 1923, in Montbéliard, France, Thom was the son of Gustav (a pharmacist) and Louise Ramel Thom. After earning an academic scholarship at the primary school in his hometown, Thom went on Collège Cuvier, also in Montbéliard, and earned his bachelor's degree in elementary mathematics from the University of Besançon in 1940. Soon afterward, however, the German army invaded France and Thom's parents encouraged him...