Elie-Joseph Cartan

French mathematician, a professor at Paris University from 1912-1940. His works include "La Géométrie des espaces de Riemann," 1925, "The Geometry of Riemann Spaces" and "La Théorie des groupes continus et des espaces generalizes," 1935. Although he published on the theory of relativity, it was Cartan’s decisive work in extending analytical theories on differentiable manifolds that resulted in recognition during the later part of his life. This work is considered to form the central dogma of math today.

Élie-Joseph Cartan was the son of a blacksmith, who became a student at l'Ecole Normale in 1888. In 1894, he received his doctorate, and began lecturing at the University of Montpellier, where he stayed until 1896. He moved on to the University of Lyon from 1896-1903, and then on to Nancy for six years from 1903-09. During this period he began publishing on differential equations, and from 1909-40, he lectured in Paris. A profound theorist, Cartan was gifted with the ability to explain difficult concepts to students. His work until 1930 was done in virtual isolation due to the weak state of French math, the novelty of his interests and the effect of World War I. He became a member of the Academy of Sciences in France in 1931, and a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1947.

Cartan had four children, two whom died quite tragically, Jean at age 25, and Louis, who died while in German captivity. Henri followed his father into the field of mathematics, and was known for his brilliant advances in the theory of analytic functions.

He died on 6 May 1951, Paris, France.