This fascinating insight into the minds of two great twentieth-century mathematicians affords an insider's view of the birth of modern probability theory as well as a revealing epistolary portrait spanning five decades of Levy and Frechet's academic careers.

The fascinating correspondence between Paul Lévy and Maurice Fréchet spans an extremely active period in French mathematics during the twentieth century. The letters of these two Frenchmen show their vicissitudes of research and passionate enthusiasm for the emerging field of modern probability theory. The letters cover various topics of mathematical importance including academic careers and professional travels, issues concerning students and committees, and the difficulties both mathematicians met to be elected to the Paris Academy of Sciences.  The technical questions that occupied Lévy and Fréchet on almost a daily basis are the primary focus of these letters, which are charged with elation, frustration and humour. Their mathematical victories and setbacks unfolded against the dramatic backdrop of the two World Wars and the occupation of France, during which Lévy was obliged to go into hiding. The clear and persistent desire of these mathematicians to continue their work whatever the circumstance testifies to the enlightened spirit of their discipline which was persistent against all odds.The book contains a detailed and comprehensive introduction to the central topics of the correspondence. The original text of the letters are also annotated by numerous footnotes for helpful guidance. Paul Lévy and Maurice Fréchet will be useful to anybody interested in the history of mathematics in the twentieth century and, in particular, the birth of modern probability theory.

“The present book is a collection of the fascinating correspondence between these two mathematicians … . serves as a good introduction to the science of the history of mathematics and mainly the development of modern probability theory, and a good guide for researchers in this topic. … a good reference to know about chronological developments of many famous problems in probability theory and generally in mathematics, and the famous role of the two mathematicians Lévy and Fréchet in such developments.” (Anouar Ben Mabrouk, zbMATH 1314.01002, 2015)

Provides a thorough study of the birth of modern probability theory Provides lively and profound portraits of Paul Lévy and Maurice Fréchet Gives an insight into mathematical life during twentieth-century France Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras