Ebook: Mathematics Without Borders: A History of the International Mathematical Union

The history of international mathematical co-operation over the last hundred years - from the first international congress in 1897 to plans for the World Mathematical Year 2000 - is a surprisingly compelling story. For reflected in the history of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) is all the strife among world powers, as well as aspirations for co-operation among nations in an increasingly interdependent world.
As early as the 1920s, the IMU embraced principles of political neutrality, inviting every national mathematical organisation to join, and this principle of non-discrimination, while sometimes sorely tried, has held the IMU in good stead. A number of issues - the Cold War, the conflict between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan, a divided Germany, problems in the emerging nations of Africa - at times led to attempts to influence the IMU Executive Committee in its decisions regarding membership, location of international congresses, committee assignments, handling of protests, and awarding the coveted Fields Medals.
Yet throughout, the IMU has sponsored international congresses around the world, and Professor Lehtos gripping story is one of individuals, among them many of the great mathematicians of our century, united in the common purpose of advancing their science, told against the backdrop of world events.

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The history of international mathematical co-operation over the last hundred years - from the first international congress in 1897 to plans for the World Mathematical Year 2000 - is a surprisingly compelling story. For reflected in the history of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) is all the strife among world powers, as well as aspirations for co-operation among nations in an increasingly interdependent world.
As early as the 1920s, the IMU embraced principles of political neutrality, inviting every national mathematical organisation to join, and this principle of non-discrimination, while sometimes sorely tried, has held the IMU in good stead. A number of issues - the Cold War, the conflict between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan, a divided Germany, problems in the emerging nations of Africa - at times led to attempts to influence the IMU Executive Committee in its decisions regarding membership, location of international congresses, committee assignments, handling of protests, and awarding the coveted Fields Medals.
Yet throughout, the IMU has sponsored international congresses around the world, and Professor Lehtos gripping story is one of individuals, among them many of the great mathematicians of our century, united in the common purpose of advancing their science, told against the backdrop of world events.

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The history of international mathematical co-operation over the last hundred years - from the first international congress in 1897 to plans for the World Mathematical Year 2000 - is a surprisingly compelling story. For reflected in the history of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) is all the strife among world powers, as well as aspirations for co-operation among nations in an increasingly interdependent world.
As early as the 1920s, the IMU embraced principles of political neutrality, inviting every national mathematical organisation to join, and this principle of non-discrimination, while sometimes sorely tried, has held the IMU in good stead. A number of issues - the Cold War, the conflict between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan, a divided Germany, problems in the emerging nations of Africa - at times led to attempts to influence the IMU Executive Committee in its decisions regarding membership, location of international congresses, committee assignments, handling of protests, and awarding the coveted Fields Medals.
Yet throughout, the IMU has sponsored international congresses around the world, and Professor Lehtos gripping story is one of individuals, among them many of the great mathematicians of our century, united in the common purpose of advancing their science, told against the backdrop of world events.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvi
Prologue to the History of the IMU....Pages 1-21
The Old IMU (1920-1932)....Pages 23-60
Mathematical Cooperation Without the IMU (1933-1939)....Pages 61-71
Foundation of the New IMU (1945-1951)....Pages 73-90
The IMU Takes Shape (1952-1954)....Pages 91-119
Expansion of the IMU (1955-1958)....Pages 121-137
The IMU and International Congresses (1958-1962)....Pages 139-160
Consolidation of the IMU (1963-1970)....Pages 161-176
North-South and East-West Connections (1971-1978)....Pages 177-210
Politics Interferes with the IMU (1979-1986)....Pages 211-250
The IMU and Related Organizations....Pages 251-282
The IMU in a Changing World (1986-1990)....Pages 283-304
Back Matter....Pages 305-399

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The history of international mathematical co-operation over the last hundred years - from the first international congress in 1897 to plans for the World Mathematical Year 2000 - is a surprisingly compelling story. For reflected in the history of the International Mathematical Union (IMU) is all the strife among world powers, as well as aspirations for co-operation among nations in an increasingly interdependent world.
As early as the 1920s, the IMU embraced principles of political neutrality, inviting every national mathematical organisation to join, and this principle of non-discrimination, while sometimes sorely tried, has held the IMU in good stead. A number of issues - the Cold War, the conflict between the Peoples Republic of China and Taiwan, a divided Germany, problems in the emerging nations of Africa - at times led to attempts to influence the IMU Executive Committee in its decisions regarding membership, location of international congresses, committee assignments, handling of protests, and awarding the coveted Fields Medals.
Yet throughout, the IMU has sponsored international congresses around the world, and Professor Lehtos gripping story is one of individuals, among them many of the great mathematicians of our century, united in the common purpose of advancing their science, told against the backdrop of world events.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvi
Prologue to the History of the IMU....Pages 1-21
The Old IMU (1920-1932)....Pages 23-60
Mathematical Cooperation Without the IMU (1933-1939)....Pages 61-71
Foundation of the New IMU (1945-1951)....Pages 73-90
The IMU Takes Shape (1952-1954)....Pages 91-119
Expansion of the IMU (1955-1958)....Pages 121-137
The IMU and International Congresses (1958-1962)....Pages 139-160
Consolidation of the IMU (1963-1970)....Pages 161-176
North-South and East-West Connections (1971-1978)....Pages 177-210
Politics Interferes with the IMU (1979-1986)....Pages 211-250
The IMU and Related Organizations....Pages 251-282
The IMU in a Changing World (1986-1990)....Pages 283-304
Back Matter....Pages 305-399
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