![]() ![]() ![]() Director of the Institut Henri Poincaré in Paris, one of the oldest and most vibrant research institutes for mathematics and theoretical physics, Villani cuts a unique figure in the larger pantheon of scientists, always dressed in an elegant three piece suit, ribbon-like silk cravat and a large spider brooch on his jacket collar. Villani is widely regarded as one of the most prominent mathematicians of his age. ![]() The author, it soon transpired, was the French mathematician, Cédric Villani. My father who had just returned from a visit to the Institute Henri Poincaré in Paris looked up and smiled. Flicking through the pages I noticed a handwritten message decorated with a mass of comical figures and strange little doodles. One evening, a couple of years ago, as I sifted through a large stack of books, leaflets and papers lying next to my father’s favourite seat on the sofa, I was drawn to a plain, yellow coloured book entitled Théorme vivant. My heart will conquer without striking a blow.” (Cédric Villani, Birth of a Theorem) “Nonlinear Landau damping is a monster, no doubt about it – with as many heads as the Hydra! Nonetheless, I remain convinced that nothing can stop us. In Search of Truth: A Quest for Proof - Cédric Villani ![]()
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