Emergence of the Theory of Lie Groups: An Essay in the History of Mathematics 1869-1926
This book is both more and less than a history of the theory of Lie groups during the period 1869-1926. No attempt has been made to provide an exhaustive treatment of all aspects of the theory. Instead, I have focused upon its origins and upon the subsequent development of its structural as­ pects, particularly the structure and representation of semisimple groups. In dealing with this more limited subject matter, considerable emphasis has been placed upon the motivation behind the mathematics. This has meant paying close attention to the historical context: the mathematical or physical considerations that motivate or inform the work of a particular mathematician as well as the disciplinary ideals of a mathematical school that encourage research in certain directions. As a result, readers will ob­ tain in the ensuing pages glimpses of and, I hope, the flavor of many areas of nineteenth and early twentieth century geometry, algebra, and analysis. They will also encounter many of the mathematicians of the period, includ­ ing quite a few not directly connected with Lie groups, and will become acquainted with some of the major mathematical schools. In this sense, the book is more than a history of the theory of Lie groups. It provides a different perspective on the history of mathematics between, roughly, 1869 and 1926. Hence the subtitle.
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Emergence of the Theory of Lie Groups: An Essay in the History of Mathematics 1869-1926
This book is both more and less than a history of the theory of Lie groups during the period 1869-1926. No attempt has been made to provide an exhaustive treatment of all aspects of the theory. Instead, I have focused upon its origins and upon the subsequent development of its structural as­ pects, particularly the structure and representation of semisimple groups. In dealing with this more limited subject matter, considerable emphasis has been placed upon the motivation behind the mathematics. This has meant paying close attention to the historical context: the mathematical or physical considerations that motivate or inform the work of a particular mathematician as well as the disciplinary ideals of a mathematical school that encourage research in certain directions. As a result, readers will ob­ tain in the ensuing pages glimpses of and, I hope, the flavor of many areas of nineteenth and early twentieth century geometry, algebra, and analysis. They will also encounter many of the mathematicians of the period, includ­ ing quite a few not directly connected with Lie groups, and will become acquainted with some of the major mathematical schools. In this sense, the book is more than a history of the theory of Lie groups. It provides a different perspective on the history of mathematics between, roughly, 1869 and 1926. Hence the subtitle.
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Emergence of the Theory of Lie Groups: An Essay in the History of Mathematics 1869-1926

Emergence of the Theory of Lie Groups: An Essay in the History of Mathematics 1869-1926

by Thomas Hawkins
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Emergence of the Theory of Lie Groups: An Essay in the History of Mathematics 1869-1926

Emergence of the Theory of Lie Groups: An Essay in the History of Mathematics 1869-1926

by Thomas Hawkins

Overview

This book is both more and less than a history of the theory of Lie groups during the period 1869-1926. No attempt has been made to provide an exhaustive treatment of all aspects of the theory. Instead, I have focused upon its origins and upon the subsequent development of its structural as­ pects, particularly the structure and representation of semisimple groups. In dealing with this more limited subject matter, considerable emphasis has been placed upon the motivation behind the mathematics. This has meant paying close attention to the historical context: the mathematical or physical considerations that motivate or inform the work of a particular mathematician as well as the disciplinary ideals of a mathematical school that encourage research in certain directions. As a result, readers will ob­ tain in the ensuing pages glimpses of and, I hope, the flavor of many areas of nineteenth and early twentieth century geometry, algebra, and analysis. They will also encounter many of the mathematicians of the period, includ­ ing quite a few not directly connected with Lie groups, and will become acquainted with some of the major mathematical schools. In this sense, the book is more than a history of the theory of Lie groups. It provides a different perspective on the history of mathematics between, roughly, 1869 and 1926. Hence the subtitle.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780387989631
Publisher: Springer New York
Publication date: 07/19/2000
Series: Sources and Studies in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Edition description: 2000
Pages: 566
Product dimensions: 6.40(w) x 9.40(h) x 1.50(d)

Table of Contents

I: Sophus Lie.- 1. The Geometrical Origins of Lie’s Theory.- 2. Jacobi and the Analytical Origins of Lie’s Theory.- 3. Lie’s Theory of Transformation Groups 1874–1893..- II: Wilhelm Killing.- 4. The Background to Killing’s Work on Lie Algebras.- >Chapter 5. Killing and the Structure of Lie Algebrass.- III: Élie Cartan.- 6. The Doctoral Thesis of Élie Cartan.- 7. Lie’s School & Linear Representations.- 8. Cartan’s Trilogy: 1913–14.- IV: Hermann Weyl.- 9. The Göttingen School of Hilbert.- 10. The Berlin Algebraists: Frobenius & Schur.- 11. From Relativity to Representations.- 12. Weyl’s Great Papers of 1925 and 1926.- Afterword. Suggested Further Reading.- References. Published & Unpublished Sources.
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