Bernhard Hermann Neumann
(15 October 1909 – 21 October 2002) was a German-born British-Australian mathematician, who was a leader in the study of
group theory
In abstract algebra, group theory studies the algebraic structures known as groups.
The concept of a group is central to abstract algebra: other well-known algebraic structures, such as rings, fields, and vector spaces, can all be seen as ...
.
Early life and education
After gaining a D.Phil. from
Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität in Berlin in 1932 he earned a Ph.D. at the
University of Cambridge in 1935 and a
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science ( la, links=no, Scientiae Doctor), usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D., or D.S., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries, "Doctor of Science" is the degree used f ...
at the
University of Manchester in 1954. His doctoral students included
Gilbert Baumslag, László Kovács, Michael Newman, and
James Wiegold
James "Jim" Wiegold (15 April 1934 – 4 August 2009) was a Welsh mathematician.
Born in Trecenydd, Caerphilly, he earned a Ph.D. at the University of Manchester, England in 1958, studying under Bernhard Neumann, and is most notable for h ...
. After war service with the British Army, he became a lecturer at
University College, Hull, before moving in 1948 to the
University of Manchester, where he spent the next 14 years. In 1954 he received a DSc from the
University of Cambridge.
In 1962 he migrated to Australia to take up the Foundation Chair of the Department of Mathematics within the Institute of Advanced Studies of the
Australian National University
The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and ...
(ANU), where he served as head of the department until retiring in 1975. In addition he was a senior research fellow at the CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics from 1975 to 1977 and then honorary research fellow from 1978 until his death in 2002.
His wife,
Hanna Neumann
Johanna (Hanna) Neumann (née von Caemmerer; 12 February 1914 – 14 November 1971) was a German-born mathematician who worked on group theory.
Biography
Neumann was born on 12 February 1914 in Lankwitz, Steglitz-Zehlendorf (today a distr ...
, and sons,
Peter M. Neumann and
Walter Neumann, are also notable for their contributions to group theory.
He was an invited speaker of the
International Congress of Mathematicians in 1936 at
Oslo and in 1970 at
Nice. He was elected a
Fellow of the Royal Society in 1959.
In 1994, he was appointed a Companion of the
Order of Australia (AC).
The Australian Mathematical Society awards a student prize named in his honour. The group-theoretic notion of
HNN (Higman-Neumann-Neumann) extension bears the names of Bernard and his wife Hanna, from their joint paper with
Graham Higman (who later supervised the PhD of their son Peter).
Career
* Assistant lecturer,
University College, Cardiff
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, image_name = Shield of the University of Cardiff.svg
, image_size = 150px
, caption = Coat of arms of Cardiff University
, motto = cy, Gwirionedd, Undod a Chytgord
, mottoeng = Truth, Unity and Concord
, established = 1 ...
, 1937–40.
* Army Service, 1940–45.
* Lecturer, University College, Hull, (now
University of Hull
, mottoeng = Bearing the Torch f learning, established = 1927 – University College Hull1954 – university status
, type = Public
, endowment = £18.8 million (2016)
, budget = £190 million ...
), 1946–48
* Lecturer, senior lecturer, reader,
Manchester, 1948–61
* Professor and head of Department of Mathematics, Institute of Advanced Studies,
ANU
, image=Detail, upper part, Kudurru of Ritti-Marduk, from Sippar, Iraq, 1125-1104 BCE. British Museum.jpg
, caption=Symbols of various deities, including Anu (bottom right corner) on a kudurru of Ritti-Marduk, from Sippar, Iraq, 1125–1104 BCE
, ...
,
Canberra
Canberra ( )
is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ...
, 1962–74;
Emeritus Professor, 1975–2002.
* Senior research fellow,
CSIRO Division of Mathematics and Statistics, 1975–77; honorary research fellow, 1978–99.
* Founding member of the
World Cultural Council
The World Cultural Council is an international organization whose goals are to promote cultural values, goodwill and philanthropy among individuals. The organization founded in 1981 and based in Mexico, has held a yearly award ceremony since 198 ...
, 1981.
Awards
*1984
Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture The Matthew Flinders Medal and Lecture of the Australian Academy of Science is awarded biennially to recognise exceptional research by Australian scientists in the physical sciences. Nominations can only be made by Academy Fellows.
Recipients
Sourc ...
*1952
Adams Prize
The Adams Prize is one of the most prestigious prizes awarded by the University of Cambridge. It is awarded each year by the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and St John's College to a UK-based mathematician for distinguis ...
, University of Cambridge
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neumann, Bernhard
1909 births
2002 deaths
20th-century British mathematicians
20th-century German mathematicians
Academics of Cardiff University
Academics of the University of Manchester
Australian mathematicians
Companions of the Order of Australia
Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science
Fellows of the Royal Society
Founding members of the World Cultural Council
German emigrants to Australia
Group theorists
Jewish emigrants from Nazi Germany to the United Kingdom
Australian National University faculty