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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Jurjen Ferdinand Koksma

Jurjen Ferdinand Koksma was a Dutch mathematician who specialized in analytic number theory.  He was born on 21 April 1904 in Heerenveen, Netherlands and his parents were Franke Koksma and Hommina van Ek.

Koksma was one of the most influential Dutch mathematicians of the 20^th century. One of his main works was the book Diophantische Approximation, which was published in 1936 by Springer.

He wrote several other books and academic papers and was also a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. Jurjen died on 17 December 1964, in Amsterdam, he had two brothers, Jan and Marten, who were also mathematicians.

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about him.

1. He Studied Mathematics

Koksma studied for a degree in mathematics at Groningen University. He then briefly taught mathematics in Kampen and Zwolle while completing the research for his Ph.D.

Koksma received his Ph.D. degree in 1930 at the University of Groningen under the supervision of Johannes van der Corput, with a thesis on Systems of Diophantine Inequalities.

At the age of 26, he was invited to become a full professor at the University of Amsterdam. He accepted and became the first professor in mathematics at this university.

2. He was a Founder Member of the Dutch Mathematisch Centrum

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Jurjen Ferdinand Koksma is one of the founder members of Dutch mathematisch centrum. He founded the institute in 1946 together with fellow mathematicians Johannes van der Corput, David van Dantzig, Hendrick Kremers, and Marcel Minnert.

Its mission was to develop mathematical prediction models to assist large Dutch engineering projects, such as Delta Works. During this early period, the Mathematics Institute also helped with designing the wings of the Fokker F27 Friendship airplane, voted in 2006 as the most beautiful Dutch design of the 20th century.

In 1983, the name of the institute was changed to Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) to reflect a governmental push for emphasizing computer science research in the Netherlands.

3. He was a Member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences

In 1950, Koksma became a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. The organization based in Amsterdam is dedicated to the advancement of science and literature in the Netherland.

It also operates a number of research institutes and awards many prizes, including the Lorentz Medal in theoretical physics, the Dr. Hendrik Muller Prize for Behavioural and Social Science, and the Heineken Prizes.

The members are appointed for life, and Nominations for candidate membership by persons or organizations outside the academy are accepted. Academy membership is regarded as a great honor and prestigious.

4. He published the Book Diophantische Approximationen  in 1936

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In 1933 Koksma published the 40 page paper Diophantische Approximationen von Irrationalzahlen mit Kettenbruchnennern von eingeschränktem Wachstum then in 1935 he published the paper Ein mengentheoretischer Satz über die Gleichverteilung modulo Eins .

In 1936 Koksma published his most famous work, the book Diophantische Approximationen which was published in 1936 by Springer. The book became very popular and was reviewed by the American Mathematical Society in 1938.

 5. He was the first professor of mathematics at the Free University

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The Free University of Amsterdam was looking to establish a Faculty of Sciences and they made appointments to chairs in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Johannes Gerardus Sizoo was appointed as the first professor of physics and Koksma offered the first professorship of mathematics at the Free University.

It was explained to him that he and his colleagues would have to build the new Faculty of Mathematics and Physics from scratch. Although at first, he was reluctant to accept this demanding task. However, he did accept the professorship and took up his appointment on 10 October 1930.

6.  Koksma was Rector of the Free University

Koksma became the rector of the Free University of Amsterdam in 1938. Due the  World War II which was going on, his next few years were difficult ones.

He continued to run the mathematics department at the Free University despite the difficult conditions in the Netherlands which existed from 1940 when the German army occupied the country.

Although the university remained open, the students were required to sign a declaration that they would not sabotage the system.

7. He also Wrote Several Papers with Paul ErdÅ‘s

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Jurjen Ferdinand Koksma wrote several mathematical papers with Paul ErdÅ‘s, who was one of the most prolific mathematicians of the 20th century. Much of their work centered on discrete mathematics, cracking many previously unsolved problems in the field.

Erdős published around 1,500 mathematical papers during his lifetime, a figure that remains unsurpassed. He firmly believed mathematics to be a social activity, living an itinerant lifestyle with the sole purpose of writing mathematical papers with other mathematicians.

8. He Gave an Opening Address for the Session about the War

On 19 September 1945 Koksma spoke at length in his opening address for the session about the war and what had happened during the war years to the people and the buildings of the Free University.

He talked proudly of the achievements of the University during this difficult period and explained that the number of benefactors had increased. He argued that these positive signs must be seen as an indication that the University should now expand.

This is precisely what happened for over the next few years, during which there was a huge growth in the number of students. In addition, the four existing faculties of the Free University significantly expanded to include teachers and new courses.

9.  He Died in 1964

In 1960 Koksma suffered a serious illness and had to cut back on most of his activities due to his disability.

He continued to attend colloquia in the Mathematical Centre and remained an important figure in its organization up to his death on 17 December 1964, in Amsterdam.

10. He was married and had 7 Children

Koksma married Gretchen van der Stouwe on 12 April 1933,  they had five sons and two daughters.