Saunders Maclane A Mathematical Autobiography

Saunders Mac Lane's life has covered nearly a century of mathematical developments. During the earlier part of the 20th century, he participated in the exciting happenings in Gottingen -- the Mecca of mathematics. Later, he contributed to the more abstract and general mathematical viewpoints developed in the 20th century. Perhaps the most outstanding accomplishment during his long and extraordinary career was creating the concept of categories together with Sam Eilenberg and developing them into a theory that has broad applications in different areas of mathematics, in particular topology and foundations. Mac Lane was an exceptional teacher, as witnessed by his textbook A Survey of Modern Algebra, co-authored with Garrett Birkhoff, still used after 50 years, and by his distinguished list of PhD students. He was also a keen observer and active participant in the social and political themes of the 20th century. He witnessed the advent of the Nazi regime in Germany, which caused the collapse of the mathematical culture in Gottingen. As a member and vice president of the National Academy of Science and an advisor to the Administration, he exerted considerable influence on science and education policies in the post-war period. Mac Lane's autobiography takes the reader on a journey through the most important milestones of the mathematical world in the 20th century.MacLane, Saunders is the author of 'Saunders Maclane A Mathematical Autobiography' with ISBN 9781568811505 and ISBN 1568811500.