The Abel Prize 2005 to Peter D. Lax

The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters has decided to award the Abel Prize for 2005 to Peter D. Lax, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University. Lax receives the Abel Prize "for his groundbreaking contributions to the theory and application of partial differential equations and to the computation of their solutions" to quote the Abel Committee.

Peter D. Lax has been described as the most versatile mathematician of his generation. He stands out in joining together pure and applied mathematics, combining a deep understanding of analysis with an extraordinary capacity to find unifying concepts. He has had a profound influence, not only by his research, but also by his writing, his lifelong commitment to education and his generosity to younger mathematicians.

The previous Abel Laureates are:
2003: Jean-Pierre Serre
2004: Sir Michael F. Atiyah and Isadore M. Singer

More detailed information can be found at:
http://www.abelprisen.no/en/