This book is a collection of articles, all by the author, on the Indian mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan as well as on some of the greatest mathematicians in history whose lives and works have things in common with Ramanujan. It presents a unique comparative study of Ramanujan's spectacular discoveries and remarkable life with the monumental contributions of various mathematical luminaries, some of whom, like Ramanujan, overcame great difficulties in life. Also, among the articles are reviews of three important books on Ramanujan's mathematics and life. In addition, some aspects of Ramanujan's contributions, such as his remarkable formulae for the number p, his pathbreaking work in the theory of partitions, and his fundamental observations on quadratic forms, are discussed. Finally, the book describes various current efforts to ensure that the legacy of Ramanujan will be preserved and continue to thrive in the future. Thus the book is an enlightening study of Ramanujan as a mathematician and a human being.

From the Foreword by George Andrews-one of the greatest experts on Ramanujan's work: "Alladi, who has worked in several areas of number theory and analysis, and who, as editor of the Ramanujan Journal, is uniquely qualified to write these historical sketches which provide an unusual and compelling view of Ramanujan."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Krishnaswami Alladi is professor of mathematics at the University of Florida, where he was the department chairman during 1998-2008. He received his PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1978. His research area is number theory, where he has made notable contributions. In 1987, during the Ramanujan Centennial in India, he got the inspiration to launch The Ramanujan Journal (now published by Springer), devoted to all areas of mathematics influenced by Ramanujan. He annually writes articles about Ramanujan and his place in the world of mathematics, for journals and newspapers. He is presently editor-in-chief of The Ramanujan Journal, editor of the book series Developments in Mathematics (Springer), and associate editor of Notices of the American Mathematical Society.

Autorentext
Krishnaswami Alladi is professor of mathematics at the University of Florida, where he was the department chairman during 19982008. He received his PhD from the University of California in 1978. His research area is number theory, where he has made notable contributions. In 1987, during the Ramanujan Centennial in India, he got the inspiration to launch The Ramanujan Journal (now published by Springer), devoted to all areas of research influenced by Ramanujan. He annually writes articles about Ramanujan and his place in the world of mathematics, being published in several national dailies. He is presently editor-in-chief of The Ramanujan Journal, editor of the book series Developments in Mathematics (Springer), and associated editor of Notices of the American Mathematical Society.

Inhalt
Foreword (by George Andrews).- Preface.- Part I: Ramanujan and other mathematical luminaries.- Chapter 1: Ramanujan - an estimation.- Chapter 2: Ramanujan - the second century.- Chapter 3: L. J. Rogers - a contemporary of Ramanujan.- Chapter 4: P. A. MacMahon - Ramanujan's distinguished contemporary.- Chapter 5: Fermat and Ramanujan - a comparison.- Chapter 6: J. J. Sylvester - Ramanujan's illustrious predecessor.- Chapter 7: Erdos and Ramanujan - legends of twentieth century mathematics.- Chapter 8: C. G. J. Jacobi - algorist par-excellence.- Chapter 9: Evariste Galois - founder of group theory.- Chapter 10: Leonhard Euler - most prolific mathematician in history.- Chapter 11: G. H. Hardy - Ramanujan's mentor.- Chapter 12: J. E. Littlewood - Ramanujan's contemporary and Hardy's collaborator.- Chapter 13: Neils Henrik Abel - Norwegian mathematical genius.- Chapter 14: Issai Schur - Ramanujan's German contemporary.- Chapter 15: Robert Rankin - Scottish link with Ramanujan.- Part II: Onsome aspects of Ramanujan's mathematics.- Chapter 16: Ramanujan and pi.- Chapter 17: Ramanujan and partitions.- Chapter 18: Major progress on a problem of Ramanujan.- Part III: Reviews.- Chapter 19: Review of Srinivasa Ramanujan: The Lost Notebook and other unpublished papers.- Chapter 20: Review of The man who knew infinity - book by Robert Kanigel.- Chapter 21: Review of Ramanujan: Letters and Commentary - book by Bruce Berndt and Robert Rankin.- Chapter 22: Review of Ramanujan: Essays and Surveys - book by Bruce Berndt and Robert Rankin.- Chapter 23: Review of Partitions - a play on Ramanujan.- Part IV: Preserving Ramanujan's legacy.- Chapter 24: The Ramanujan Journal - its conception, need and place.- Chapter 25: A pilgrimage to Ramanujan's hometown.- Chapter 26: The first SASTRA Ramanujan prizes.- Chapter 27: Ramanujan's growing influence.- Index.