An inmate's love of mathematics leads to discovery in number theory
By Marta Cerruti - Associate Professor, Materials Engineering, McGill University 5 days ago
There are many examples of mathematical breakthroughs achieved in prison. Maybe the most famous is from the French mathematician Andre Weil, who came up with his hugely influential conjectures while in a military prison in Rouen, France. Another mathematical giant, Srinivasan Ramanujan, started off with no formal training in mathematics and produced most of his revolutionary results in complete isolation.
In his autobiography, Weil mentions being able to achieve special clarity while in prison. Is there something special about prison and mathematics?
Christopher Havens' story certainly agrees with this perspective.
A murder conviction
Havens received a 25-year sentence in Washington in 2011 after being convicted for murder. He found his love and gift for mathematics while in solitary confinement a few months after his incarceration. His journey in mathematics and research led to him publishing a first-author paper in an academic mathematics journal in January 2020.
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...
In January 2013, my partner Matthew Cargo, who was, at the time, the production editor for Mathematical Sciences Publishers, was forwarded this letter in an email from a colleague:
"To whom it may concern, I'm interested in finding more information on a subscription to Annals of Mathematics for personal use. I'm currently serving 25 years in the Washington Department of Correction and I've decided to use this time for self-betterment. I'm studying calculus and number theory, as numbers have become my mission. Can you please send me any information on your mathematical journal? Christopher Havens, #349034
PS. I am self-teaching myself and often get hung on problems for long periods of time. Is there anyone who I could correspond with, provided I send self-addressed stamped envelopes? There are no teachers here who can help me so I often spend hundreds on books that may or may not contain the help I need. Thank you."
Cargo put Havens in contact with my parents, who are both mathematicians.
https://www.livescience.com/prisoner-ma ... overy.html
By Marta Cerruti - Associate Professor, Materials Engineering, McGill University 5 days ago
There are many examples of mathematical breakthroughs achieved in prison. Maybe the most famous is from the French mathematician Andre Weil, who came up with his hugely influential conjectures while in a military prison in Rouen, France. Another mathematical giant, Srinivasan Ramanujan, started off with no formal training in mathematics and produced most of his revolutionary results in complete isolation.
In his autobiography, Weil mentions being able to achieve special clarity while in prison. Is there something special about prison and mathematics?
Christopher Havens' story certainly agrees with this perspective.
A murder conviction
Havens received a 25-year sentence in Washington in 2011 after being convicted for murder. He found his love and gift for mathematics while in solitary confinement a few months after his incarceration. His journey in mathematics and research led to him publishing a first-author paper in an academic mathematics journal in January 2020.
RECOMMENDED VIDEOS FOR YOU...
In January 2013, my partner Matthew Cargo, who was, at the time, the production editor for Mathematical Sciences Publishers, was forwarded this letter in an email from a colleague:
"To whom it may concern, I'm interested in finding more information on a subscription to Annals of Mathematics for personal use. I'm currently serving 25 years in the Washington Department of Correction and I've decided to use this time for self-betterment. I'm studying calculus and number theory, as numbers have become my mission. Can you please send me any information on your mathematical journal? Christopher Havens, #349034
PS. I am self-teaching myself and often get hung on problems for long periods of time. Is there anyone who I could correspond with, provided I send self-addressed stamped envelopes? There are no teachers here who can help me so I often spend hundreds on books that may or may not contain the help I need. Thank you."
Cargo put Havens in contact with my parents, who are both mathematicians.
https://www.livescience.com/prisoner-ma ... overy.html