The Most Famous Living Mathematician, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the living mathematician you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 2, 2024 07:08

In the world of mathematics, where theories and problems are constantly solved and reshaped by brilliant minds, it becomes invaluable to recognize those individuals who are actively contributing to these advancements. By ranking the most eminent living mathematicians, we create a snapshot of the current leaders in the field whose work is not just theoretical but often applicable to various modern day challenges. This dynamic listing not only highlights the contributions and recognition these mathematicians have achieved but also helps foster a community of learners and enthusiasts, who can follow, learn from, and be inspired by these pioneers. Your votes help identify and acknowledge the prevailing influences in the world of mathematics today, ensuring that new generations are aware of those who are shaping their future world of science and technology.

Who Is the Most Famous Living Mathematician?

1

54
votes
The White House · Public domain

Terence Tao

Australian mathematician known for his contributions to number theory and partial differential equations. He has won numerous awards including the Fields Medal in 2006.
Terence Tao in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most brilliant girl in the world
- Position 1 of 10 in Most brilliant student in the world
- Position 10 of 10 in Most talented boy in the world
2

16
votes

"copyright C. J. Mozzochi, Princeton N.J" · Attribution

Andrew Wiles

British mathematician known for his proof of Fermat's Last Theorem. He has won numerous awards including the Abel Prize in 2016.
3

20
votes

George Bergman · CC BY-SA 4.0

Grigori Perelman

Russian mathematician known for his work on the Poincaré conjecture. He famously declined the Fields Medal in 2006.
4

6
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

John Nash

American mathematician known for his work in game theory, winning the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994. He passed away in 2015.
John Nash in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous PhDs
5

20
votes
Ojan · Public domain

Edward Witten

American physicist and mathematician known for his work in string theory and quantum gravity. He has won numerous awards including the Fields Medal in 1990.
Edward Witten in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous living physicist
6

9
votes

George Bergman · GFDL 1.2

Richard Taylor

British mathematician known for his contributions to number theory, particularly the Langlands program. He has won numerous awards including the Fields Medal in 1998.
7

7
votes

Gert-Martin Greuel · CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Michael Atiyah

British mathematician known for his work in topology and geometry. He has won numerous awards including the Fields Medal in 1966. He passed away in 2019.
8

12
votes

National Science Foundation · Public domain

Shing-Tung Yau

Chinese-American mathematician known for his work in geometry and the Calabi-Yau manifold. He has won numerous awards including the Fields Medal in 1982.
9

11
votes

George Bergman · CC BY-SA 4.0

Jean Bourgain

Belgian mathematician known for his work in functional analysis and partial differential equations. He has won numerous awards including the Fields Medal in 1994. He passed away in 2018.
10

1
votes

George Bergman · GFDL 1.2

Peter Scholze

German mathematician known for his work in arithmetic geometry and the Langlands program. He has won numerous awards including the Fields Medal in 2018.

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Ranking factors for famous living mathematician

Contribution to mathematics

The mathematician's contribution to the field of mathematics should be significant and influential.
Impact on society

The mathematician's work should have had a significant impact on society and its applications.
Awards and honors

The mathematician should have received recognition for their work, including awards, prizes, and honors.
Publications

The mathematician should have published high-quality research in prestigious journals and books.
Teaching and mentoring

The mathematician should have contributed to the education and mentoring of future mathematicians.
Public visibility

The mathematician should be known to the general public and have made appearances in the media.
International recognition

The mathematician should have gained recognition and respect from their peers in the global mathematical community.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous living mathematician. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or mathematician is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1851 views
157 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each mathematician once every 24 hours. The rank of each mathematician is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous living mathematician

Mathematics has been a field of study that has fascinated people for centuries. From Pythagoras to Einstein, mathematicians have made remarkable contributions to the world of science and technology. However, in today's world, with advancements in technology and the internet, there are many mathematicians who have become famous for their work, research, and contributions to society. When it comes to identifying the most famous living mathematician, there are several names that come to mind. Mathematicians such as Terence Tao, Andrew Wiles, and John H. Conway are just a few of the many well-known mathematicians who have made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. Terence Tao, for instance, has been recognized as one of the most brilliant minds in mathematics, having won numerous awards and accolades for his work. Andrew Wiles is another mathematician who has made significant contributions to the field, having solved Fermat's Last Theorem, one of the most elusive mathematical problems of all time. John H. Conway is another famous mathematician who is known for his contributions to various branches of mathematics, including game theory, number theory, and geometry. His work has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of these fields and has led to many breakthroughs in modern mathematics. Overall, there are many famous living mathematicians who have made significant contributions to the field of mathematics. These individuals have not only advanced our understanding of mathematics but have also inspired countless others to pursue their passions in this fascinating field.