1895-1980

Finnish mathematician who established the study of harmonic measure and formulated a theory of value distribution, known as Nevalinna theory, in 1925. Nevanlinna took an early interest in the classics and mathematics, and studied at Helsinki University, where he was greatly influenced by one of his father's cousins, Ernst Lindelöf. Nevanlinna completed his doctorate in 1919 and taught at Helsinki University. The Rolf Nevanlinna Prize, established in 1982, is an annual award presented by the International Congress of Mathematicians for advances in mathematical aspects of information science.