11 Facts About Irving Kaplansky

Irving Kaplansky was a mathematician, college professor, author, and amateur musician.

Irving Kaplansky went to Harbord Collegiate Institute receiving the Prince of Wales Scholarship as a teenager.

Irving Kaplansky attended the University of Toronto as an undergraduate and finished first in his class for three consecutive years.

Irving Kaplansky was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study and attended the 1946 Princeton University Bicentennial.

Irving Kaplansky was professor of mathematics at the University of Chicago from 1945 to 1984, and Chair of the department from 1962 to 1967.

Irving Kaplansky was the Director of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute from 1984 to 1992, and the President of the American Mathematical Society from 1985 to 1986.

Irving Kaplansky had perfect pitch, studied piano until the age of 15, earned money in high school as a dance band musician, taught Tom Lehrer, and played in Harvard's jazz band in graduate school.

Irving Kaplansky had a regular program on Harvard's student radio station.

Irving Kaplansky published more than 150 articles and 11 mathematical books.

Irving Kaplansky was a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Director of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, and President of the American Mathematical Society.

Irving Kaplansky was the plenary speaker at the British Mathematical Colloquium in 1966.