Contents
Georg Cantor
Showing that infinite sets can have different sizes and helping establish set theory.
Different infinities · Diagonal argument
- Born
- 3 March 1845
- Birthplace
- Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Died
- 6 January 1918
More people
Georg Cantor
Cantor changed the meaning of infinity in mathematics. His work at Halle gave mathematicians a precise way to compare infinite collections, despite fierce resistance from some contemporaries.
Early life
Across borders
Born in Saint Petersburg, he moved with his family to Germany as a child.
Mathematical training
Studied in Zurich and Berlin, receiving his Berlin doctorate in 1867.
Career
- 1869
Halle appointment
Began the university career that would anchor his mathematical research.
- 1879
Full professor
Was promoted at Halle as his work on infinite sets developed.
- 1890
Mathematical community
Helped found the German Mathematical Society.
Contributions
Different infinities
Proved that the real numbers cannot be put into a list indexed by the whole numbers.
Diagonal argument
Introduced a striking method for proving that some infinite collections are larger than others.
Transfinite numbers
Developed the arithmetic of infinite sizes and ordered sets.
Beyond mathematics
Music
Was a skilled violinist, with music also prominent in his family background.
Belief and philosophy
Corresponded about the philosophical and theological implications of infinity.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗University of St Andrews biography ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
.jpg){kind=link}