Great Moments in Math
The tragic life of Evariste Galois, 1811-1832
Some links to websites that discuss the life of Galois.
- Genius and Biographers: The Fictionalization of Evariste Galois (Original version published in American Mathematical Monthly, 89, 84 (1982). Winner Ford Writing Award). 27 page article crtiquing other biographies of Galois, particularly the most well know, the chapter about him in Men of Mathematics by E. T. Bell, a copy of which can be found in the Math Lounge. There is a link to a condensed version of Bell's account lower on this page.
"The investigations of Galois discussed here have told us less about the man than about his biographers. The misfortune is that the biographers have been scientists. Because they appreciate his genius a century after its undisputed establishment, anyone who did not recognize it at the time is condemned. 'In all the history of science,' writes Bell, 'there is no completer example of the triumph of crass stupidity over untamable genius.' 'Is it possible to avoid the obvious conclusion,' asks Infeld, 'that the regime of Louis-Philippe was responsible for the early death of one of the greatest scientists who ever lived?' The underlying assumption is apparent: Galois was persecuted because he was a genius and all scientists, to a greater or lesser degree, understand that genius is not tolerated by mediocrity. A genius must be recognized as such even when standing drunk at a banquet table with a dagger in his hand. Anyone who does not recognize him becomes a fool, an assassin or a prostitute. This is a presumption of the highest arrogance. Scientists should not be so enamored of themselves Full Article