A famous Mathematician who is most recognized for his work with number theory, algebra, and the philosophy of Mathematics.
In 1961 he obtained his Ph.D. from Harvard University.
For his books on Fermat's Last Theorem, he was awarded the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition from the American Mathematical Society in 1980.
He was brought up in Champaign, Illinois.
He has taught classes at NYU for a number of years, which is the same university poet John Ashbery attended.
