Ernst Zermelo

This biography sheds light on all facets of the life and the achievements of Ernst Zermelo (1871-1953). Zermelo is best-known for the statement of the axiom of choice and his axiomatization of set theory. However, he also worked in applied mathematics and mathematical physics. His dissertation, for example, promoted the calculus of variations, and he created the pivotal method in the theory of rating systems.

The presentation of Zermelo's work explores motivations, aims, acceptance, and influence. Selected proofs and information gleaned from letters add to the analysis. The description of his personality owes much to conversations with his late wife Gertrud.

This second edition provides additional information. The system of citations has been adapted to that of Zermelo's Collected Works in order to facilitate side-by-side reading and thus profit from the thorough commentaries written for the Collected Works by experts in the respective fields.

All facts presented are documented by appropriate sources. The biography contains nearly 50 photos and facsimiles.

Second revised edition of first biography of Zermelo Contains about 50 photos and facsimiles, most of them published here for the first time System of citations adapted to Zermelo's Collected Works Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Prof. Dr. H.-D. Ebbinghaus ist Leiter des Instituts für Mathematische Logik an der Universität Freiburg. Durch Veröffentlichungen hat der Autor einen hohen Bekanntheitsgrad in der Hochschulmathematik.

Inhalt

1 Berlin 18711897.- 2 Göttingen 18971910.- 3 Zurich 19101921.- 4 Freiburg 19211953.- 5 A Final Word.- 6 Zermelo's Curriculum Vitae.- 7 Appendix. Selected Original Versions.- References.- Index.