The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters has awarded Tate the prize for “his vast and lasting impact on the theory of numbers.” The Abel Prize recognizes contributions of extraordinary depth and influence to the mathematical sciences and has been awarded annually since 2003. It carries a cash award of NOK 6,000,000 (close to US $ 1 mill.)
Tate’s astonishing mathematical career
Tate has just retired retired from his position as professor and Sid W. Richardson Chair in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin. In the course of 60 years, Tate has left his mark on modern mathematics. Tate has made fundamental contributions in algebraic number theory and in related areas of algebraic geometry.
Several mathematical ideas and constructions stem from Tate’s work and were later named after him, such as the Tate module, Tate curve, Tate cycle, Hodge-Tate decompositions, Tate cohomology, Serre-Tate parameter, Lubin-Tate group, Tate trace, Shafarevich-Tate group, Néron-Tate height, to mention just a few.
Incisive contributions to the theory of numbers
The theory of numbers stretches from the mysteries of prime numbers to the ways in which we store, transmit, and secure information in modern computers. Over the past century it has developed into one of the most elaborate and sophisticated branches of mathematics, interacting profoundly with other key areas. John Tate is a prime architect of this development.
According to the Abel committee, “Many of the major lines of research in algebraic number theory and arithmetic geometry are only possible because of the incisive contributions and illuminating insights of John Tate. He has truly left a conspicuous imprint on modern mathematics”.
The Abel Prize 2010 announcement. Photo: The Abel Prize
The Abel Prize
The Niels Henrik Abel Memorial Fund was established in 2002 to award the Abel Prize for outstanding scientific work in the field of mathematics. The Abel Prize was awarded for the first time in 2003.
Niels Henrik Abel is considered the greatest Norwegian mathematician ever. It has been said that his work has left mathematicians something to keep them busy for five hundred years. Now two hundred years have passed, and the claim is still valid.
For more information about the laureate, his achievements and the Abel Prize, visit the Abel Prize website: www.abelprisen.no/en