Remembering Sofya Kovalevskaya by Michèle Audin

This book gives a particular vision of her. She was the first woman with a university professional activity. “The book under review is devoted to Sofia Kovalevskaya. Moreover, for scholars conducting research on Kovalevskaya, the multifaceted potpourri presented in this book will raise a lot of interesting questions and perspectives from which to approach their subject in a different way.” (Eva Kaufholz-Soldat, Historia Mathematica, Vol. “For those who have already read one or two of the numerous biographies, Audin’s portrayal can serve as a valuable addition and a stimulus to rethink opinions already formed. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title. This fascinating book, which also examines Kovalevskaya's love of literature, will be of interest to historians looking for a treatment of the mathematics, and those doing feminist or gender studies. Her ideas are explained in a way that is accessible to a general audience, with diagrams, marginal notes and commentary to help explain the mathematical concepts and provide context. It emphasises the originality of Kovalevskaya's work and assesses her legacy and reputation as a mathematician and scientist. This memoir, written by a mathematician who specialises in symplectic geometry and integrable systems, is a personal exploration of the life, the writings and the mathematical achievements of a remarkable woman. Sofia Kovalevskaya was a brilliant and determined young Russian woman of the 19th century who wanted to become a mathematician and who succeeded, in often difficult circumstances, in becoming arguably the first woman to have a professional university career in the way we understand it today.

Remembering Sofya Kovalevskaya by Michèle Audin