Paul Erdos
Dive into the life, work, and enduring legacy of Paul Erdős (1913–1996), the Hungarian mathematician whose nomadic lifestyle and prolific collaborations reshaped twentieth-century mathematics.
Introduction
Paul Erdős (Hungarian: Erdős Pál; March 26, 1913 – September 20, 1996) was a legendary mathematician known as much for his eccentric personal style as for his prodigious output and far-reaching influence.
Erdős was known to work extremely long hours and use stimulants (e.g. amphetamines) at times to fuel his mathematical productivity.
Later Years & Death
Erdős never married and left no children.
On September 20, 1996, at age 83, he suffered a heart attack and died during a mathematics conference in Warsaw, Poland.
He requested his tombstone inscription read in Hungarian: “Végre nem butulok tovább.” — “Now I finally won’t get dumber anymore.”
Famous Quotes
Paul Erdős left behind many witty, profound, and playful quotations. Here are some of his best-known ones:
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“My brain is open.”
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“A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems.”
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“If numbers aren’t beautiful, I don’t know what is.”
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“It is not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You should also have an open mind at the right time.”
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“Every human activity, except mathematics, must come to an end.”
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“Some French socialist said that private property was theft … I say that private property is a nuisance.”
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“Television is something the Russians invented to destroy American education.”
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“The SF created us to enjoy our suffering. … The sooner we die, the sooner we defy His plans.”
These quotes reflect his sharp wit, devotion to mathematics, and willingness to comment on life beyond math.
Legacy & Influence
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The concept of the Erdős number continues to celebrate his collaborative ethos and influence.
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Numerous conferences and volumes have been dedicated to his memory and to surveying the breadth of his work (e.g., Paul Erdős and His Mathematics).
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He inspired generations of mathematicians to be bold, collaborative, and unafraid to propose challenging open problems.
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His style—combining nomadic life, generosity of collaboration, and relentless pursuit—remains a model of devotion to pure thought.
Lessons from Paul Erdős
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Collaboration amplifies impact. Erdős achieved far more by working with others than by working alone.
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Passion over conventional success. He never sought tenure or stability; he followed the call of ideas.
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Sweet humility and generosity. He offered problems to others, gave away prize money, and lived modestly.
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Devote your life to what you love. To him, mathematics was not a job—it was meaning.
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Seek beauty and elegance. He believed that the aesthetics of a proof mattered deeply—not just correctness.