Serge Lang
1927–2005 (age 78)
Mathematician
Biography
Serge Lang earned a reputation as an exacting and passionate mathematician whose work in number theory and arithmetic geometry shaped modern scholarship. His deep investigations into Diophantine equations and his collaborations with other luminaries propelled significant advances and inspired students worldwide.
Lang also stood out for his commitment to civic responsibility, often speaking out on academic freedom and ethics, and authoring accessible textbooks that empowered generations of learners to find joy in mathematics. His life exemplified the belief that rigorous thought can coexist with a profound sense of justice.