Professor Mark Ronan charts the quest of Norwegian mathematician Sophus Lie as he follows in the footsteps of the Frenchman Galois. Forty years after Galois, around the time of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870, Lie was in Paris, exploring multi-dimensional geometry and taking Galois’ discovery on to a new level. He dodged the conflict narrowly, moving around Europe until he eventually returned to Norway. His work was recognised as ground-breaking and in the 20th century led to advances in theoretical physics.
credits
from Symmetry & The Monster,
released December 23, 2010
Originally broadcast on BBC Radio 3
Written & presented by Prof. Mark Ronan
Produced by Richard Bannerman