International Mathematical Congress Medals

Abstract

EVERY four years there is held an international gathering of mathematicians, known as the International Congress of Mathematicians. At the next meeting, to be held in Oslo in 1936, two gold medals will be awarded to mathematicians selected for their outstanding contributions to mathematics by an international committee appointed for the purpose. The foundation of these medals is due to the efforts of the late Dr. J. C. Fields, research professor of mathematics at the University of Toronto. Dr. Fields was responsible for assembling the Mathematical Congress in Toronto in 1924—the only meeting which has been held outside Europe—and was president of the Congress and the editor of its Proceedings, which constituted two large volumes, published by the University of Toronto Press. With funds remaining after the completion of the work, Dr. Fields suggested the foundation of these medals, as a Canadian contribution to the cause of international scientific co-operation, which he always had much at heart. Unfortunately, Dr. Fields did not live to see the realisation of his scheme, as he died in August 1932, a month before the meeting of the Congress in Zurich, which gave international approval to the foundation of the medals. The medals will be awarded at each International Congress of Mathematicians in future.